Santa Monica police have noticed an uptick in injury accidents involving bicyclists and pedestrians, despite citywide efforts to slow traffic, install crosswalks and bike lanes, slow traffic, and improve signage. During the past three years, the Santa Monica Police Department has investigated 874 injury and fatality accidents involving pedestrians and bicyclists.
In an attempt to reduce injuries and death, beginning Friday May 29th, the Santa Monica Police Department will begin an operation focusing on bike and pedestrian safety.
The department has mapped out locations where pedestrian and bike collisions are most common. Police officers will be on the lookout for violations by drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians. Officers will be issuing citations to the following violators:
- Drivers who speed, make illegal turns, fail to stop for traffic signs and signals, and failure to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks;
- Pedestrians who jaywalk or fail to yield to drivers who have the right of way;
- Bicyclists who fail to follow the traffics laws that apply to motorists.
Police are also recommending that all adult cyclists wear a helmet, and reminding that cyclists under age 18 are required by law to wear a helmet.
In addition to this Friday, the Bike & Pedestrian Safety Enforcement Operation will take place on Monday June 1st, Wednesday June 3rd, and Friday June 5th.