Photo by South OC Beaches
The Laguna Beach Police Department will step up Pedestrian Safety Enforcement Operations today, Wednesday February 25 2015.
Focused enforcement will be on collision causing factors involving motorists and pedestrians.
The department will be focusing on locations since January 2010 where pedestrian involved collisions have occurred along with the violations that led to those crashes and officers will be conducting directed enforcement at those locations.
Special attention will be given to drivers speeding, making illegal turns, failing to stop for signs and signals, failing to yield to pedestrians in cross walks or any other dangerous violation.
Additionally, enforcement action will be taken against pedestrians committing violations such as crossing the street illegally or failing to yield to drivers who have the right of way.
Pedestrians should cross the street only in marked crosswalks or at corners.
Locally, the Laguna Beach Police Department has investigated 3 fatal and 65 injury collisions involving pedestrians during the past three (3) years. In 2012, California witnessed 612 pedestrian deaths while nationally; 4,743 pedestrians were killed.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration 2012 Data report reveals that California leads the nation in pedestrian fatalities.
The Laguna Beach Police Department would like to remind both drivers and pedestrians to be alert, share the roadway and keep in mind the following safety tips to keep our roadways safe.
Drivers can:
– Look out for pedestrians, especially in hard-to-see conditions such as at night or in bad weather.
– Slow down and be prepared to stop when turning or entering a crosswalk where pedestrians are likely to be.
– Stop at the crosswalk stop line to give drivers in other lanes an opportunity to also see and yield to the pedestrians.
– If a vehicle is stopped at a crosswalk DO NOT overtake it without stopping and ensuring the crosswalk is clear prior to proceeding.
– Be cautious when backing up – pedestrians, especially young children, can move across your path. See http://www.safercar.gov/parents/backover.htm
Pedestrians can:
– Be predictable. Follow the rules of the road, cross at crosswalks or intersections, and obey signs and signals.
– Walk facing traffic and as far from traffic as possible if there is no sidewalk.
– Pay attention to the traffic moving around you. This is not the time to be texting or talking on a cell phone.
– Make eye contact with drivers as they approach. Never assume a driver sees you and will stop.
– Wear bright clothing during the day and reflective materials (or use a flashlight) at night.
– LOOK left-right-left before crossing a street.
Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
For more information please link to Safety
