Alaskans Demand Action on Pedestrian Safety

Letter calls for urgent solutions to address rising pedestrian fatalities in Anchorage.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 5:48pm

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An abstract, impressionistic scene of blurred streetlights, crosswalks, and pedestrian silhouettes, conveying the sense of danger and lack of safety on Anchorage's streets.As pedestrian deaths continue to rise in Anchorage, residents call for urgent action to address the city's dangerous streets.Anchorage Today

A letter to the editor published in the Anchorage Daily News expresses outrage over the continued inaction on pedestrian safety in the city, where 30 pedestrians have been killed in the past two years. The author argues that if a similar number of workers had been killed in industrial accidents, there would be immediate calls for reform, but pedestrian deaths are being met with 'mostly silence' from city and state leaders.

Why it matters

Pedestrian safety is a critical issue for Anchorage, a city designed primarily for car traffic, where the number of pedestrian fatalities has reached a crisis level. The lack of urgency and action from local officials to address this problem has left many residents frustrated and concerned for the safety of their community.

The details

The letter cites 30 pedestrian fatalities in Anchorage over the past two years, noting that if a similar number of industrial workers had been killed, there would be immediate calls for reform and hearings to address the underlying systemic issues. However, the author argues, the pedestrian deaths are being met with 'mostly silence' from City Hall and the governor's mansion, with a variety of 'excuses' being made for the lack of action.

  • In the past two years, 30 pedestrians have been killed in Anchorage.

The players

Jason Norris

A resident of Anchorage who wrote the letter to the editor expressing outrage over the lack of action on pedestrian safety.

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What they’re saying

“If the North Slope had killed 30 workers in two years, or the Bering Sea or our mines, the outrage would be immense. We would rightfully conclude that such a dangerous system should not be allowed to continue forward unaddressed.”

— Jason Norris, Anchorage Resident

“The only thing that seems to exceed the number of pedestrian fatalities is the number of excuses for why we refuse to fix it.”

— Jason Norris, Anchorage Resident

The takeaway

This letter highlights the urgent need for Anchorage city leaders to prioritize pedestrian safety and take concrete steps to address the alarming rise in pedestrian fatalities. Residents are demanding action, and the continued inaction is unacceptable.