The San Antonio area has some of the least safe streets in the country, per StreetLight Data's new "U.S. Safe Streets Index."

Why it matters: Traffic fatalities in San Antonio have increased since the pandemic, according to the city's latest tally.

• The new index offers fresh insight into how our city compares with other big cities.

How it works: The ranking is based on five key factors among the 100 biggest U.S. metros: vehicle miles traveled, speeds between vehicles, speed-based pedestrian risk, speeding in residential zones and truck activity.

Zoom in: The San Antonio metro ranks No. 83 out of 100 overall.

• When looking at speed-based pedestrian risk, we rank even worse, at No. 93. That means we have a lot of pedestrians walking alongside roads with traffic and speeds above 30 mph.

Yes, but: Our residential speeds are some of the best in the country, coming in at No. 4. That means drivers tend to follow the speed limits in residential areas, at least.

Zoom out: The New York, Boston and Portland, Oregon, metros have the nation's safest roadways.

• "Larger metros tend to perform better overall for roadway safety, despite popular misconceptions that big cities are more dangerous," the report's authors wrote.

State of play: San Antonio's Vision Zero plan aims to completely eliminate traffic deaths by making roads safer.

• 96 deaths and 366 serious injuries from vehicle crashes were recorded in 2023, the most recent year reported in the city's Vision Zero plan. Fatal and severe crashes have increased from pre-pandemic levels, per the plan.
• Late last year, the city's Transportation Department identified in an interactive map the most dangerous roads in San Antonio.

What's next: With the help of a federal grant, the city is establishing a "quick build" program to more swiftly deliver projects that meet the goals of Vision Zero and the city's Bike Network Plan.

• District 1 Councilmember Sukh Kaur said at a City Council meeting this month that she's working toward a longer-term solution for quick-build projects that the grant will help the city test out.

👋 Megan here. I know how frustrating it can be to be a pedestrian in San Antonio.

State of play: I walk in my neighborhood, an urban area inside Loop 410, most days. There are businesses I can reach on foot but I'm largely traversing residential streets.

My experience: About once a month, a driver will see me at an intersection and choose not to yield to the pedestrian right of way. Just the other week, a driver came within inches of me while I was midway through crossing at a four-way stop sign. They smiled.

• I'm not talking about cases in which a driver isn't paying attention and doesn't see me walking; although that happens, too.

This is not a rare occurrence for me as someone who walks in San Antonio. It's easy to see why our streets don't feel safe — and driver behavior is a piece of that.

How it works: While it's not automatic, pedestrians have the right of way in many situations in Texas.

The other side: When I'm waiting at a marked crosswalk and don't have the walk signal, a driver will sometimes wave for me to go ahead anyway.

• While that might seem kind, roads are at their most efficient and safe when we all play by the same rules.

📬 Tell me: What's your experience as a pedestrian here? Do you feel safe — why or why not?

• Hit reply to let me know.

✈️ San Antonio International Airport opened its Terminal A expansion on Friday, adding new ground-load gates, passenger areas and an inspection area for international arrivals. (KSAT)

🎶 La Semana Alegre, an official Fiesta music festival at Hemisfair, added the band A Flock of Seagulls to its '80s night lineup. (Express-News 🔑)

✍️ Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick instructed state senators to study prediction markets, data centers and THC ahead of next year's legislative session. (Texas Tribune)

Girls are increasingly joining the typically male-dominated sport of football despite fewer leagues and opportunities.

The big picture: The NFL is investing in female flag football, and the Olympics is planning the sport's debut in 2028.

• Most women who want to play turn toward flag football, but tackle is gaining traction.

The latest: At the high school level, 17 states' athletic associations have sanctioned girls varsity flag championships. In Texas, a pilot program is supported by the Dallas Cowboys and Houston Texans.

Zoom in: Alamo City Youth Flag is preparing to begin its spring season for girls flag football in San Antonio, running April 12 through May 17 at UT San Antonio's Rec Field Complex.

• Age groups vary.

What they're saying: "There are more girls getting footballs put in their hands than any time, any other time in the world because of flag football," Women's National Football Conference founder Odessa Jenkins says.

• But "most of the women that are playing tackle football right now are playing with the boys."

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Six Flags Fiesta Texas has tightened its chaperone policy, again, to keep unruly teenagers at bay.

Why it matters: Six Flags (the company) is imposing similar rules at its other parks amid reports of planned "teen takeovers."

The latest: The San Antonio park now requires all guests younger than 17 to be accompanied by an adult. The previous age limit was 15.

• Six Flags says each adult chaperone can only monitor up to five youth, and the group must stay together during their visit.

What they're saying: "Safety is a top priority at Six Flags Fiesta Texas," spokesperson Cyle Perez tells Axios.

• "We regularly review and revise our policies and programs to provide the best possible experience for all our guests."

💬 Our thought bubble: Chaperoning a bunch of teenagers at a theme park all day sounds like a reason not to go.