Why is the Golden Gate Bridge the most targeted bridge for suicide jumpers?

Question

I found out this past week a friend had taken his own life by jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge. Yes, we are local but what makes people want to target the bridge? Someone told me this past weekend to watch the movie The Bridge. Its on this exact topic.

Answer 1

First of all, I'm sorry for your loss.

Several reasons have been posited--its easy access (as it is a pedestrian bridge as opposed to the Bay Bridge), its final view (most people jump looking at the city), and its almost sure death upon hitting the water.

Answer 2

There is no net or fence to stop people from jumping off the bridge. They average about a jumper every two to three weeks according to the rangers that work at Fort Point. There have been 1800+ successful suicides since the bridge opened.

Answer 3

Probably because it has the fewest railings and is the highest bridge. But it's suprising, because it always has a lot of traffic, but only on weekends does it have any tourists. But the suicide news is, nevertheless true. If someone falls into the water or even hits a leg of the bridge, they're life is over.

Answer 4

the golden gate has a lot of romance attached to it. it was at one time the longest single span suspension bridge in the world.

a big reason is also that there is a very low fence that pedestrians can easily climb, and they have never put in any other nets or fences to prevent suicides, as most other bridges have done. (the reluctance to do so is mostly due to aesthetic concerns.)

Answer 5

Just the Height of it - guarantees instant death - also easy for the jumper to sale.

Answer 6

Probably because it's high enough that you will die when you hit the water.

Answer 7

Because it's there, and it get's the job done.