Officials with the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station are set to conduct a bicycle and pedestrian safety enforcement operation on Wednesday.
Between 7 a.m. and 11 a.m. on Wednesday, May 27, officials with the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station are set to conduct a bicycle and pedestrian safety enforcement operation in the Santa Clarita aimed at “keeping people who need to go out to exercise or run essential errands safe.”
“While the COVID-19 pandemic is requiring residents to stay home as much as possible, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department recognizes the need to protect the public by looking for violations made by bicyclists, drivers and pedestrians that make roads unsafe,” reads a statement issued by the department Monday.
For drivers, these violations include speeding, making illegal turns, failing to yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk, and failing to stop for signs and signals.
For pedestrians, violations include crossing the street illegally and failing to yield to drivers who have the right of way.
See Related: GoFundMe Set Up For Family Of Woman Who Died After Being Struck By Car In Stevenson Ranch
Violations for bicyclists include riding on the wrong side of the road, not complying with stop signs and signals, or other violation of the same traffic laws that apply to drivers.
“Just because there’s less traffic doesn’t mean traffic rules go out the window,” said Sergeant Robert Hill with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. “To protect you and your family, we want to make sure those that are out are following rules intended to keep them safe.”
The safety of bicyclists and pedestrians remains a “top priority” for the department, as they have investigated 10 deadly and 270 injury collisions involving bicyclists and pedestrians in 2020 so far.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department offered the following tips when out biking, driving or walking:
- PEDESTRIANS
- Only cross at marked crosswalks or intersections with a stop sign or signal.
- Look for cars backing up. Avoid going between parked cars.
- Make eye contact with drivers. Don’t assume they see you.
- Wear bright clothing during the day and use a flashlight when walking at night.
- DRIVERS
- Wait for pedestrians to cross the street. Be courteous and patient.
- Stay off the phone.
- Follow the speed limit.
- Look for pedestrians when backing up or turning.
- BICYCLISTS
- Always wear a helmet. Helmets are required by law for anyone under 18.
- Bicyclists must travel in the same direction of traffic and have the same requirements as any slow-moving vehicle.
Everyone who is out is reminded to practice physical distancing measures, when feasible, staying at least six feet away from others.
Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Sponsored Articles
KHTS FM 98.1 and AM 1220 is Santa Clarita’s only local radio station. KHTS mixes in a combination of news, traffic, sports, and features along with your favorite adult contemporary hits. Santa Clarita news and features are delivered throughout the day over our airwaves, on our website and through a variety of social media platforms. Our KHTS national award-winning daily news briefs are now read daily by 34,000+ residents. A vibrant member of the Santa Clarita community, the KHTS broadcast signal reaches all of the Santa Clarita Valley and parts of the high desert communities located in the Antelope Valley. The station streams its talk shows over the web, reaching a potentially worldwide audience. Follow @KHTSRadio on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.