Changes in Cliff Drive street designs for cars, bikes and pedestrians expected to reduce deaths and increase safety on the Mesa
John Palminteri
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – Considered by many residents for years as one of the most dangerous streets in Santa Barbara, Cliff Drive is expected to get a facelift that will slow down the pace for everyone.
The history is littered with crashes, fatalities, near misses and incidents that many long time residents say could have been avoided with slower speeds and more careful driving.
Not everything is the street’s fault or outdated designs, lack of signals and inadequate crosswalks for the population.
There have been crashes linked to excessive speeding, drinking and medical conditions.
One of the most recent incidents was in front of Santa Barbara City College on May 5.
A speeding driver lost control, ripped out a section of fencing and plowed into a car going the other direction.
Another crash involved a driver and a bus after a crash against the brick wall at Santa Barbara City College during a medical incident.
Santa Barbara Police are routinely dispatching traffic control officers to patrol and use radar on Cliff Drive and when they are present, tickets are written at a strong pace.
In addition to SBCC there are also elementary schools in the area including Monroe and McKinley.
Nick Svensson a longtime resident says, “Cliff drive is so wide. So that blinking light is going to take some time. So in some facet, I don’t think lights, permanent lights are the right idea. I think we test it with, you know, crosswalks.”
Coming out of the Vons shopping center, e-bike rider Richard Nieves said, ” I think if they have the blinking lights to give the caution for people to walk across, if that’s the least they can do, I think that’s a vast improvement.”
Watching cars and pedestrians share space, Andi Garcia a born and raised resident said, “is definitely dicey. And, you know, imagine if there’s, if there’s an e-bike coming by or the bus or someone trying to, you know, dodge across the street. It’s hairy.” She also says the afternoon sun can be directly in your eyes.
“Speeding is a big thing. And we do see the police here, during school time, which is really great. Kind of slowing people down. It’s just necessary to because of the lack of crosswalks, you have people kind of jumping over, back and forth. It’s dangerous,” said neighbor Andi Garcia.
Work is scheduled to begin in 2027.
For more information go to: Cliff Drive renovations