SANTA MONICA—The Santa Monica Police Department will bring additional attention to the Bike & Pedestrian Safety Enforcement Operations on Saturday, January 17 to prevent collisions involving motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians.
In a press release to Canyon News from Sgt. Rudy Camarena, the department has mapped multiple locations where pedestrian and bike collisions have been high in the past five years. Additional officers will be on duty patrolling these areas to prevent any additional bike or pedestrian collisions or deaths.
Authorities will be searching for violations from drivers, pedestrians and bicyclists that can lead to life changing injuries. The SMPD will pay extra attention to drivers speeding, making illegal turns, failing to stop for signs and signals, failing to yield to pedestrians in cross walks and similar dangerous violations. Police will also be on the lookout for pedestrians who cross the street illegally or who fail to yield to drivers who have the right of way. Bicyclists will be issued a citation for failing to follow the same traffic laws that apply to motorists.
Bicyclists are asked to wear a helmet; those under 18 years of age are required to wear a helmet by law. Pedestrians are asked to only cross the street in marked crosswalks or at corners.
Funding for the program is thanks to a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
