Pasadena Weighs Tougher Measures as Pedestrians Are Half of Traffic Deaths

Pedestrians make up half of Pasadena’s traffic fatalities, even though they are involved in just 7% of the city’s collisions, according to a recent presentation to the City Council’s Municipal Services Committee. This disparity has led city officials to explore options such as lower speed limits, increased police enforcement, and automated traffic cameras to improve street safety. In the first six months of 2026, Pasadena reported 336 injury and fatal collisions, with four deaths, two of which were pedestrians.

Eighty percent of the city’s collisions occur on only 13% of its streets, providing transportation officials with specific areas to target for safety improvements. Councilmember Rick Cole highlighted the severity of traffic deaths, noting that in most years, Pasadena experiences more traffic fatalities than homicides. The city aims to eliminate traffic fatalities by 2035, but Councilmembers and residents have questioned the pace of current prevention efforts.

Transportation engineer Donson Liu stated that collision figures rose after the pandemic, though preliminary 2025 data suggests a potential leveling off. The city is gathering data to support further 5 mph speed-limit reductions on designated safety corridors, with proposed changes expected to reach the City Council in late winter or early spring. Meanwhile, the Pasadena Police Department has increased enforcement, issuing 655 traffic citations in July, 422 in June, and 566 in August through a program focusing motorcycle officers on high-collision areas.

Councilmember Tyron Hampton pushed for the reinstatement of red-light cameras, state authorization for automated speed enforcement, and reducing school-zone speed limits to 15 mph where permitted. Transportation officials noted that a previous red-light camera program was discontinued due to financial difficulties. Councilmember Jason Lyon called for more resources for traffic enforcement and questioned if planned improvements were adequately concentrated in the most dangerous areas.

Discussions also touched on the 2025 death of Caltech postdoctoral researcher Kenny Lau at Cordova Street and Oak Knoll Avenue. Residents urged immediate safety upgrades at that intersection, where a new traffic signal has been funded, and design work is expected to proceed once funding agreements are approved. Other planned improvements include pedestrian hybrid beacons at Lincoln Avenue and Toolen Place, and Lake Avenue and Elizabeth Street, along with additional flashing crosswalk signals and pedestrian safety projects citywide.

Need to know

• City officials expect to bring proposed speed-limit reductions to the City Council in late winter or early spring.
• Planned improvements include new traffic signals, pedestrian hybrid beacons, and flashing crosswalk signals at various locations.

The AKUSO take: For Pasadena residents, these discussions underscore a critical issue affecting daily life and safety on local streets. It’s a reminder that even seemingly minor changes to traffic patterns and enforcement can have a significant impact on community well-being.