The Laguna Beach Police Department will step up traffic safety enforcement on Saturday, Jan. 31, by focusing on factors that cause collisions involving motorists and pedestrians and crash locations of the past five years.
Locally, the department has investigated three fatal and 65 injury collisions involving pedestrians during the past three years, traffic enforcement supervisor Lt. Jeff Calvert said in a statement. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration 2012 Data report reveals that California leads the nation in pedestrian fatalities.
Special attention on Saturday will be given to drivers speeding, making illegal turns, failing to stop for signs and signals, failing to yield to pedestrians in cross walks or any other dangerous violation, Calvert said.
Additionally, enforcement action will be taken against pedestrians committing violations such as crossing the street illegally or failing to yield to drivers who have the right of way. Pedestrians should cross the street only in marked crosswalks or at corners.
Tips for drivers:
Look for pedestrians, especially in hard-to-see conditions at night or in bad weather.
Slow down and be prepared to stop when turning or entering a crosswalk where pedestrians are likely to be.
Stop at the crosswalk stop line to give drivers in other lanes an opportunity to also see and yield to the pedestrians.
If a vehicle is stopped at a crosswalk do not overtake it without stopping and ensuring the crosswalk is clear.
Be cautious when backing up; pedestrians, especially young children, can move across your path.
For those on foot:
Be predictable. Follow the rules of the road, cross at crosswalks or intersections, and obey signs and signals.
Walk facing traffic and as far from traffic as possible if there is no sidewalk.
Pay attention to the traffic moving around you. This is not the time to be texting or talking on a cell phone.
Make eye contact with drivers as they approach.
Wear bright clothing during the day and reflective materials (or use a flashlight) at night.
Look left-right-left before crossing a street.
