(SACRAMENTO, CA) – The California State Assembly passed a resolution authored by Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco), Chair of the Assembly Democratic Caucus, to honor the memory of Hanren Chang with a memorial plaque on Sloat Boulevard, in San Francisco, near where she was hit and killed by a drunk driver while crossing the street on her seventeenth birthday last year.
“Losing Hanren was a wakeup call for our community to change,” said Ting. “I salute the Chang family for their courageous leadership in keeping us on task to improve pedestrian safety. Today’s action brings us a significant step closer to commemorating Hanren’s life with a meaningful memorial.”
Assembly Concurrent Resolution (ACR) 117 directs Caltrans to place a memorial plaque in memory of Hanren Chang on Sloat Boulevard to commemorate new pedestrian safety improvements that have since been made to the area where the accident occurred – specifically the newly erected High-Intensity Activated crossWalK (HAWK) beacon at the Sloat Boulevard and Forest View Drive intersection. At the time of the accident, the street did not have stoplights or a stop sign. A number of pedestrian safety features have subsequently been installed. The resolution was needed because Sloat Boulevard is a state highway – State Route 35. The plaque will be financed privately.
"Hanren has been a selfless girl cheerleading our families and everyone around her since she was born,” said Hanren’s parents, Dr. Wenhan Chang and Dr. Chia-Ling Tu. “Her passing has devastated all of us. This memorial traffic beacon has brought us comfort by reminding us that Hanren's sacrifice has made a safer street-crossing for her fellow schoolmates and all pedestrians nearby. Like this traffic beacon, Hanren's angelic spirit will continue to watch over all of us, including Mr. Kieren Brewer who is also recovering from this tragic event. My family wants to thank Supervisor Tang, Assemblymember Ting, and their staff as well as the SF City and California State traffic authorities for their care of pedestrian safety and for expediting the construction of this traffic beacon."
“Hanren Chang was taken from us too soon, but out of this tragedy, we have made improvements through the Sloat Boulevard Pedestrian Safety Project to enhance safety along the corridor,” said San Francisco Supervisor Katy Tang, who represents the Sunset District. “The Hanren Chang HAWK Beacon will serve as a reminder to pedestrians, bicyclists and motorists to use caution when using our streets. It has been an honor to work with the Chang family to promote better safety and awareness in Hanren’s memory.”
A HAWK beacon is a traffic signal used to stop road traffic and allow pedestrians to cross safely. Unlike an ordinary traffic signal, the HAWK beacon only lights up when activated by a pedestrian who wishes to cross.
ACR 117 passed with a 74-0 vote and moves to the State Senate for further review. Additional information is available at www.leginfo.ca.gov.
Contact: Anthony Matthews, tel. (916) 319-2019, anthony.matthews@asm.ca.gov