KHTS Radio Santa Clarita Radio – Santa Clarita News
On Thursday, deputies issued 74 citations to distracted drivers during their pedestrian and bicycle safety operation in Santa Clarita, officials said.
Between the hours of 7 and 11 a.m. Thursday, a pedestrian and bicycle safety operation was conducted in the City of Santa Clarita, said Shirley Miller, a spokesperson for the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station.
“During the special enforcement period, deputies issued 74 traffic citations,” Miller said.
Over half of the citations were issued for cell phone use while driving, according to officials.
Citations were also issued for failing to yield to pedestrians and failing to stop at red lights.
“It is our hope that this operation, funded by the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, will further the awareness of being focused on the road, and safely sharing the road with others,” Miller said.
Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station deputies conduct these operations in efforts to lower the amount of fatal bike and pedestrian crashes throughout the city.
“Back in 2016, we saw a 75 percent increase in pedestrian-involved fatalities in the city,” Carrie Lujan, a spokesperson for the City of Santa Clarita, said during an on-air interview with KHTS Radio. “In response, the City teamed up with our Sheriff’s Station and formed the Traffic Safety Team.”
The Traffic Safety Team consists of extra deputies who are out working to enforce traffic laws to help prevent distracted drivers, according to officials.
Although the number of fatal pedestrian collisions was up in 2016, that number has been dropping over the last three years, according to Sheriff’s officials.
“Our pedestrian collisions are down from last year,” said Deputy Mario Acosta of the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station.
During the year 2018, 26 pedestrians were hit by a vehicle by Aug. 1, and by Aug. 1, 2019, a total of 19 individuals have been hit by a vehicle this year, Acosta said.
In order for the number of pedestrians being hit by cars to continue declining, officials are urging drivers to be extra cautious while approaching intersections.
Also, pedestrians are being urged to cross the street in designated crossing areas only, according to Sheriff’s officials.
Anyone planning on walking at night is encouraged to wear brightly-colored clothing to be more visible to drivers.
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Were any pedestrians cited for losing themselves in their phones while walking?
A bit of a misleading headline to say that “over 70 distracted driving citations issued”. The article states that 74 citations were issued and “over half of the citations were issued for cell phone use while driving, according to officials. Citations were also issued for failing to yield to pedestrians and failing to stop at red lights.”
I agree driving while distracted is a major problem. But accurate reporting is important too.
Thank You. Please keep up the excellent work.
Alaminos needs some serious attention. We have Rosedale around the corner with kids walking home yet assholes are blowing stop signs and speeding . Not to mention the drinking and driving that people like to do while using Alaminos as a short cut around Bouquet Cyn.