FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 13, 2019
Contact: Saul Rodriguez, Lieutenant
(310)
458-2293
saul.rodriguez@smgov.net
Santa Monica, CA: The Santa Monica Police Department will be
conducting Bike and Pedestrian Safety Enforcement Operations with focused
enforcement efforts on primary collision factors involving motorists,
pedestrians and bicyclists. The Police Department
periodically identifies locations where bike and pedestrian collisions are
prevalent, along with the violations that led to those collisions. In an effort
to lower deaths and injuries, officers will be on duty patrolling areas where
bike and pedestrian traffic collisions occur.
Field enforcement operations are
scheduled for Friday, February 15, 2019 and Monday, February 18, 2019 from 6:00
a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Officers will be on the lookout
for violations by drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians that can potentially lead
to life altering injuries. Special enforcement efforts will be directed towards
drivers speeding, making illegal turns, failing to stop for signs and signals,
failing to yield to pedestrians in cross walks and similar dangerous
violations. Additionally, enforcement will occur for observed violations when
pedestrians cross the street illegally or fail to yield to drivers who
have the right of way. Bicyclists will be issued citations when they fail to
follow similar traffic laws that also apply to motorists.
Bicyclists are encouraged to
always wear a helmet; those under 18 years of age must wear helmets by law.
Pedestrians should cross the street only in marked crosswalks or at corners. Funding for this program is
provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.