SANTA MONICA—The Santa Monica Police Department will be conducting pedestrian and bicycle safety field enforcement operations on Friday, January 6 and Monday, January 9.

During the operation, the SMPD have periodically identified where pedestrian and bicycle collisions most commonly occur and will be patrolling those areas in efforts to lower collision, injury and death rates.

“The Department’s goal is to maintain safe streets for the entire community and minimize traffic related accidents,” said Lt. Saul Rodriguez. “A critical component in reaching this goal is educating the community on rules of the road and the importance of maintaining safe practices as a pedestrian, driver or bicyclist.”

Operations will begin at 6 a.m. and will continue for two hours on their scheduled dates.

Los Angeles ranked the second highest in pedestrian deaths in the United States in 2012 and continued to rise through 2015. In an analysis by the Los Angeles Times, pedestrians represented more than one-third of traffic deaths in Los Angeles County, higher than the national average.

Officers will also be on the lookout for violations by drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians that can lead to life altering injuries due to drivers speeding, making illegal turns, failing to stop at signs and signals, or failing to yield to pedestrians.

The SMPD encourage bicyclists to always wear a helmet. They remind residents under the age of 18 that the law requires them to wear a helmet. Pedestrians are asked to cross the street during marked crosswalks or at corners.

The program is funded by the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.