Pedestrian crashes on Polk St, San Francisco
- pedestrian crashes, 2021–2026
- 47
- pedestrian crashes, 2021–2026
- serious or fatal
- 9
- serious or fatal
- fatal
- 1
- fatal
Is Polk St in San Francisco safe to walk?
We don't rate streets as safe or unsafe: crash counts can't say how risky a street is, and busy streets have more crashes partly because more people use them. This page covers traffic crashes, not crime. What the records show: 47 pedestrian crashes were reported on Polk St in San Francisco from 2021–2026, 9 of them serious or fatal (1 fatal). The most were at Polk St & Post St (9). 55% involved a driver turning, 45% turning left. 66% of the people hit were in a crosswalk at an intersection.
Where to look next
How people on foot get hit on Polk St
- 55% involved a driver turning, 45% turning left.
- 66% of the people hit were in a crosswalk at an intersection.
- 6% were crossing away from a crosswalk.
- 49% happened after dark.
Set against all pedestrian crashes in California:
- 49% (California: 42%) of crashes happened after dark.
- 19% (California: 27%) left someone seriously hurt or killed.
- The busiest hour was 6 p.m. (California: 6 p.m.).
Where on Polk St crashes cluster
Polk St & Post St
9 crashes · 3 serious or fatalDrivers turning left into people crossing
In 3 of 9 crashes a driver was turning left. 5 of 9 people were in the crosswalk at the intersection: having the right of way didn't protect them. 67% happened after dark.
- Before you step out, look for drivers turning left from the far side of the junction. They are watching for a gap in oncoming traffic, not for you.
- Wear something light or reflective, and cross where the street is lit.
Polk St & Mcallister St
8 crashes · 2 serious or fatalDrivers turning left into people crossing
In 5 of 8 crashes a driver was turning left. 6 of 8 people were in the crosswalk at the intersection: having the right of way didn't protect them. 88% happened after dark.
- Before you step out, look for drivers turning left from the far side of the junction. They are watching for a gap in oncoming traffic, not for you.
- Wear something light or reflective, and cross where the street is lit.
Polk St & Hayes St
5 crashes · 2 serious or fatal · 1 fatalDrivers turning left into people crossing
In 2 of 5 crashes a driver was turning left. 3 of 5 people were in the crosswalk at the intersection: having the right of way didn't protect them.
- Before you step out, look for drivers turning left from the far side of the junction. They are watching for a gap in oncoming traffic, not for you.
Polk St & Turk St
5 crashes · 1 serious or fatalDrivers turning left into people crossing
In 2 of 5 crashes a driver was turning left. 4 of 5 people were in the crosswalk at the intersection: having the right of way didn't protect them. 60% happened after dark.
- Before you step out, look for drivers turning left from the far side of the junction. They are watching for a gap in oncoming traffic, not for you.
- Wear something light or reflective, and cross where the street is lit.
Polk St & Bush St
4 crashes · 1 serious or fatalDrivers turning left into people crossing
In 2 of 4 crashes a driver was turning left. 4 of 4 people were in the crosswalk at the intersection: having the right of way didn't protect them. 75% happened after dark.
- Before you step out, look for drivers turning left from the far side of the junction. They are watching for a gap in oncoming traffic, not for you.
- Wear something light or reflective, and cross where the street is lit.
Polk St & Ofarrell St
4 crashesDrivers turning left into people crossing
In 3 of 4 crashes a driver was turning left. 3 of 4 people were in the crosswalk at the intersection: having the right of way didn't protect them.
- Before you step out, look for drivers turning left from the far side of the junction. They are watching for a gap in oncoming traffic, not for you.
Spots with 3 or more reported crashes within about 250 m, worst first.
When pedestrian crashes happen on Polk St
The busiest hour was 6 p.m..
Pedestrian crashes on Polk St by year
| Year | Crashes | Serious/fatal | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 6 | 1 | |
| 2022 | 8 | 1 | |
| 2023 | 9 | 3 | |
| 2024 | 6 | 2 | |
| 2025 | 15 | 1 | |
| 2026 | 3 | 1 |
Common questions about Polk St
- Where on Polk St do the most pedestrian crashes happen?
- Polk St & Post St, with 9 reported pedestrian crashes from 2021–2026, 3 of them serious or fatal. Next are Polk St & Mcallister St (8) and Polk St & Hayes St (5).
- How do pedestrians usually get hit on Polk St?
- 55% involved a driver turning, 45% turning left. 66% of the people hit were in a crosswalk at an intersection. 6% were crossing away from a crosswalk. 49% happened after dark.
- When do pedestrian crashes happen on Polk St, compared with California?
- Of 47 reported pedestrian crashes on Polk St in San Francisco from 2021–2026: 49% (California: 42%) of crashes happened after dark. 19% (California: 27%) left someone seriously hurt or killed. The busiest hour was 6 p.m. (California: 6 p.m.).
- How many pedestrian crashes happen on Polk St each year?
- Reported pedestrian crashes on Polk St in San Francisco: 2021: 6, 2022: 8, 2023: 9, 2024: 6, 2025: 15, 2026: 3. The latest year can rise as late reports come in.
- Where does this data come from?
- Police crash reports in the California Crash Reporting System (CCRS), published by the state on data.ca.gov, counted by the street each report names first. Only crashes reported with map coordinates are counted, so the real totals are higher.
Other streets in San Francisco
Source: California Crash Reporting System (CCRS), 2021–2026. Crashes are counted by the street each police report names first, so a crash at a corner counts toward one of its two streets. Only crashes reported with map coordinates are counted, so these numbers are lower than the real total. Crashes on freeways are left out. Long, busy streets show more crashes partly because more people use them. Data last rebuilt 2026-10-07. How the data works.