SANTA MONICA—On Saturday, May 14, the Santa Monica Police Department will be conducting a Bike and Pedestrian Safety Enforcement Operation. The operation will be focused on primary collision factors involving motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists. Law enforcement will be conducting the operation from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

The SMPD consistently identifies the areas where bike and pedestrian collisions are most common and are aware of the violations that cause those collisions. Law officers will be patrolling the areas that are subject to the most accidents in order to lower deaths and injuries.

According to a press release from the SMPD, officers will be on the lookout for violations by drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians that are the cause of common accidents. Stricter enforcement regulations will be directed towards drivers speeding, making illegal turns, failing to stop for signs and signals, failing to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks and similar dangerous violations.

In addition, law officers will be keeping a close eye on pedestrians as well. They will be looking for violations of pedestrians crossing the street illegally or failing to yield to drivers who have the right of way. Also, bicyclists will be issued citations when they fail to follow similar traffic laws that also apply to motorists.

Bicyclists under the age of 18 are required to wear a helmet by law, however, all bicyclists are encouraged to always wear a helmet. In order to avoid a citation and for safety purposes, pedestrians are asked to cross the street only at marked crosswalks or at corners.

This program and operation is funded by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.