KHTS Radio Santa Clarita Radio – Santa Clarita News
A Santa Clarita driver safety campaign called “Heads Up,” is starting this week to combat distracted driving and increase pedestrian safety.
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In partnership with the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station, the Santa Clarita campaign will educate drivers and pedestrians on crosswalk and roadway safety in an effort to reduce the number of pedestrian accidents, vehicle collisions, injuries and fatalities in Santa Clarita.
“During the first six months of last year, Santa Clarita saw over 750 collisions,” according to the city’s website. “This is an increase over the previous two years during the same time period.”
Traditionally one of the biggest obstacles to compliance has been people’s attitudes toward distracted driving, according to city of Santa Clarita data.
(A public service announcement put together by West Ranch TV)
When it comes to specific distracted driving behaviors, according to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety:
2 in 3 drivers reported talking on their cell phone
1 in 3 drivers reported talking on their cell phone often
1 in 3 drivers admit to reading a text message or email
Yet, when surveyed, nearly 80 percent of drivers say it is a very serious threat to safety and 84 percent say it is completely unacceptable to text and drive.
“The majority of accidents involved speeding, following too closely, failure to yield, distracted driving, unsafe lane changes, traffic signal/sign violations and driving under the influence,” according to a city news release.”As a community, we can do better.”
This led to the development of the new and expanded educational plan. “Heads Up” is the next phase in the City’s award-winning “Drive. Focus. Live.” program that launched in fall 2016, which focused on distracted driving, speeding, driving under the influence and unsafe driving.
“Heads Up” banners and advertisements will be seen throughout Santa Clarita and social media content will center on four main messages:
- See and Be Seen – Pedestrians should always assume that there is a car planning to turn through a crosswalk in front of them. Take time to make eye contact with waiting drivers and cross the street only when you can confidently do so.
- Use the Crosswalk – Simply put, never jaywalk. Many pedestrian accidents occur when people try to run across the street rather than taking the time to safely use a crosswalk.
- Expect People in Crosswalks – Drivers should always check twice, then check again, for pedestrians before making a turn. Take special caution in school zones.
- Disconnect from Distractions – Using a cellphone when driving is illegal in California, and can be potentially life threatening. Put away any and all distractions before you start the car. Texts and calls can wait until you reach your destination.
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These people being interviewed about their cell phone use think it is a big joke and so do most of the parents. Hardball is the only way we can combat it. The whole culture is deteriorating in the SCV with no respect for the law or safety of others. Parents dropping kids off at school while texting and talking especially the “soccer moms” setting great examples for their kids. If you mention anything to them about their use of the phones they flip you off and drive off. The students at COC (Valencia and Canyon Country)start the speeding right on Campus and continue on Rockwell Cyn and Sierra Hwy. The only time you see law enforcement near CC is the 2 female deputies in the 2 SUV’s parked so both drivers windows are down and next to each other so they can do their visiting and laughing. 5 Motor officers men nothing. You can go for days without seeing a deputy. They spend most of the time writing accident reports that could have been avoided. Drive on Via Princessa or Soledad or Sierra Hwy or McBean or just about anywhere and you will be tailgated for doing the posted speed limit and then flipped off, U turns being made at Sierra and Via Princessa to get to the 14 the easy way even though no u turn is posted. Happens every minute. Working with the people up here is useless. The attitudes and recklessness they display and think nothing of doing is going to take much stronger measures and more involvement by law enforcement before any other innocent people get injured or killed. Take note of the increase in dark tinted windows since the new cell phone law went into effect. Many states have laws against tinted windows do we? It is obvious why these drivers tint like they do now. Sheriff get out of you office and get something done that works.