SANTA MONICA—The Santa Monica Police Department will be holding a bike pedestrian safety enforcement on Monday, May 5 from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Thursday, May 9 from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. The Department is expected to have additional operations throughout the month, where the operation will focus on educating bicyclists, drivers, and pedestrians on traffic laws, rules and responsibilities.
According to a press release Canyon News received from Lt. Candice Cobarrubias, officers will be observing for violations committed by bicyclists, drivers and pedestrians that place other roadway users at risk. Such violations include drivers speeding, making illegal turns, failing to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks, failing to stop for signs and signals or any other dangerous violation.
Officers will look for pedestrians who illegally cross the street or fail to yield to drivers who have the right of way. Bicyclists will be stopped when riding on the wrong side of the road, failure to comply with stop signs and signals, or other violations of the same traffic laws that apply to them as drivers.
The SMPD is alerting all pedestrians to cross the street using crosswalks or intersections, specifically those with a stop sign or signal. Pedestrians should be aware of cars backing up and avoid moving between parked cars, make eye contact with drivers and wear visible clothing during the day and reflective materials or use a flashlight at night.
Motorists are asked to wait for pedestrians to cross the street, avoid distractions like using a cell phone while driving. Bicyclists are reminded to wear a helmet; helmets are required by law for those under the age of 18. Bicyclists should travel with the flow of traffic, and allow faster traffic to pass and use hand signals when turning or stopping.
Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
