SANTA MONICA—On Saturday, June 18 from 6 a.m.-6 p.m. the Santa Monica Police Department will be conducting a Bike and Pedestrian Safety Enforcement field operation in an effort to lower the amount of deaths and injuries in bicycle and pedestrian related collisions, according to a press release from the SMPD.

On-duty officers will be patrolling locations where bicycle and pedestrian collisions are prevalent with a primary focus on collision factors that involve motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians. Officers will be on the look-out for violations from motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians that could lead to life altering injuries.

Special enforcement efforts will happen when drivers commit violations including speeding, making illegal turns, failing to stop for signs and signals, and failing to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks. Enforcement effort will also happen when pedestrians commit violations like crossing the street illegally and failing to yield to a driver who has the right of way.

Bicyclists will receive citations when they commit similar violations that apply to motorists. The SMPD encourages bicyclists to wear helmets and notes that bicyclists under the age of 18 are required to wear a helmet by law.

Pedestrians are encouraged to cross the street only at marked crosswalks or at corners. According to the California Office of Traffic Safety, pedestrian fatalities decreased by five percent from 2013-2014 from 734 deaths to 697 deaths in California. Bicyclist fatalities also decreased by 12.9 percent from 2013-2014 from 147 deaths to 128 deaths.

Canyon News is awaiting further comment from the SMPD about the bike-pedestrian safety enforcement operation.