Citations and increased enforcement Feb. 15 and 18.
By Staff Writer
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 SMPD 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 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.
“Pedestrians should cross the street only in marked crosswalks or at corners,” reads an SMPD press release.
Bicyclists will also be issued citations when they fail to follow similar traffic laws that also apply to motorists, according to the SMPD.
“Bicyclists are encouraged to always wear a helmet; those under 18 years of age must wear helmets by law,” reads an SMPD press release.
According to the Department, funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
