Since the Anchorage Assembly loosened the laws covering jaywalking, deaths keep piling up on Anchorage roadways.
On Friday night, another occurred when a person was struck by a vehicle on Brayton Drive in South Anchorage, which runs parallel to the Seward Highway.
The pedestrian was in the middle of the road, police reported.
Most of the other pedestrian deaths have occurred in midtown Anchorage and north Anchorage, including downtown.
A year ago, the Anchorage Assembly changed the local law so that most jaywalking is now legal, depending on whether the pedestrian feels it is safe to be in the roadway. Police warned the Assembly to not take this action, but it was done in the name of equity for pedestrians.
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Suzanne Downing founded Must Read Alaska and served as its editor for many years. Her prolific writing spans nearly every topic meaningful to Alaskans. Before founding Must Read Alaska, she served as editor of the Juneau Empire and as a speechwriter for Governor Sean Parnell.
