Santa Barbara police to enforce bicycle and pedestrian safety
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - The Santa Barbara Police Department is participating in a bicycle and pedestrian safety enforcement operation on Saturday that is aimed at educating bicyclists, drivers and pedestrians on traffic laws, rules and responsibilities.
On Saturday, officers will be looking closely for violations made by bicyclists, drivers and pedestrians that endanger others on the road. Some of the violations they will be looking include speeding, illegal turns, failing to yield for pedestrians at crosswalks and failing to stop for signs or signals.
Officers will also be watching for pedestrians who illegally cross the street or who fail to yield to drivers who have the right of way.
Bikers will be stopped if they are riding on the wrong side of the road, are failing to stop at road signs and signals or for any other violations that apply to both them and drivers.
One of the reasons for this enforcement is the alarming rise in bicycle and pedestrian fatalities.
The Police Department said that 138 bicyclists and 867 pedestrians were killed on California roads in 2016 which is almost a 33 percent increase from the 2012 numbers.
Santa Barbara Police investigated 156 injury collisions involving bicyclists and pedestrians in 2018.
“Whether you are on foot, behind the wheel or on a bike, you play a part in roadway safety,” Sergeant Brown said. “Understanding the rules of the road using all modes of transportation helps ensure we all get to our destination safely.”
The Santa Barbara Police Department would like to remind drivers to avoid using a cell phone while driving and to always wait for pedestrians to cross the street.
Bike riders are reminded to always wear a helmet - it is required by law for those under 18 - and to travel in the same direction as traffic.
Pedestrians are reminded to only cross the street at crosswalks and intersections, to keep an eye out for cars, always make eye contact with drivers and to wear clothes or lights that help drivers to see them.
