Slip Lanes in Oakland: Safety Analysis and Proposed Improvements

Oakland, California’s road network contains some of the most dangerous streets in the San Francisco Bay Area. In 2022, 36 people died in traffic incidents in the city, with pedestrians and bicyclists making up half of all fatalities. Crashes in Oakland disproportionately occur in the city’s Equity Priority Communities and along its High Injury Network, and across the region, Alameda County has one of the highest rates of pedestrian fatalities. Oakland’s roadways are also home to nearly 100 slip lanes: separated, one-way right-turn lanes designed to improve traffic flow. While slip lanes enable drivers to make smoother and faster turns, they prioritize vehicle speed and efficiency and increase the risk of pedestrian collisions at intersections. This report documents the locations and existing conditions of 94 slip lanes in the City of Oakland. We find that one-third of all slip lanes in Oakland are located along the city’s High Injury Network, with just over half (52%) located in Equity Priority Communities. We then examine the inequitable distribution of safety infrastructure that puts pedestrians, communities of color, seniors, and low-income residents at higher risk of traffic injury. We find that 75% of slip lanes do not have crosswalks, and nearly 90% of slip lanes do not have pedestrian crossing signals. Since 2014, 592 traffic collisions have occurred at intersections with slip lanes, resulting in 806 injuries. We assume the lack of safe pedestrian crossings may be contributing to increased traffic risks and collision outcomes.