Just four months into 2016, four pedestrians in Santa Clarita have already been killed by oncoming vehicles, more than half the number of pedestrians struck and killed in the 12 months before.

“It is something that we are aware of,” said Shirley Miller, public information officer for the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station, “that there has been an increase in vehicle versus pedestrian collisions.”

Both pedestrians and drivers are urged by law enforcement officials in the Santa Clarita Valley to watch the roads, and not to assume they have the right of way.

Sgt. Scott Shoemaker of the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station offered several tips for both pedestrians and drivers.

Pedestrians

• Always use designated crosswalks.
• Never assume that vehicles will stop.
• Allway make eye contact with drivers.
• Do not rely solely on pedestrian signals. Look to the right and the left.
• Avoiding distracted walking.
• At night, wear clothing that reflects light.

Drivers

• Slow down.
• Always obey the posted speed limit.
• Slow down at crosswalks.
• Show extra caution in parking lots.
• Avoid distracted driving.
• Focus on the road, and notice your surroundings.
• Stop at the first limit line for any area where pedestrians walk.

Miller added to these tips with some words of advice for pedestrians.

“When you’re walking to your car in a shopping center parking lot,” she said, “don’t be looking at your phone. Be aware of cars.”

The reason pedestrians need to take these precautions, she said, is that drivers can easily become distracted in parking lots.

“People may feel that because they are not on a main road, they can be on facebook or texting,” Miller said. “And they’re not focusing on the pedestrians.”

However, pedestrians should also be aware that reckless actions on their part could lead to consequences.

“Respect is a two-way street,” said Miller. “Sometimes it’s the driver’s fault and sometimes it’s the pedestrian’s fault.”

Pedestrians can and will be cited for jaywalking, she added.

“We want the roads to be safe for everybody,” Miller said.

Sheriff’s officials have attempted to hold discussions with the community throughout the year, such as with the Coffee with a Captain event held in Saugus in March, where one of the top discussion topics between officials and residents was traffic, and how to stay safe.

In addition, April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month, and the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station, the California Highway Patrol and other law enforcement organizations have cracked down on the dangerous practice.

The Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station has also partnered with the city of Santa Clarita for the “Drive, Focus, Live” campaign, which emphasizes the dangers of distracted driving.

“Not texting, not snapchatting,” said Miller. “Focus on the road.”

2016 Deaths

April 11

Jose Manuel Mendoza, a 51-year-old man, was killed on Sierra Highway earlier this month in front of the Canyon Country .

Mendoza’s injuries were described as “severe” by Lt. Brian Aguilera with the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station at the time of the incident.

March 25

Carlos Cayetano Nava, 43, of Newhall was hit by a train on March 25 near the corner of Ruether Avenue and Soledad Canyon Road.

“It appears the victim wasn’t paying attention (and) stepped in front of the train,” said Detective Steve Lankford of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Homicide Bureau, adding that it is unknown if the victim was on his phone.

March 7

Jeanette Peoples was killed while crossing Haskell Canyon Rd. at night in a poorly lit section of the road.

One witness said that emergency crews performed CPR on her for “ten minutes.”

January 26

A 74-year-old pedestrian died after being struck by a vehicle driven by an 81-year-old woman in the parking lot of a Valencia shopping center.

“It appears the driver accidentally accelerated briefly rather than hitting the vehicle’s brakes after striking the victim,” said Sgt. Brian Hudson with the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station. “This caused the vehicle to actually run over the victim.”