Images of the handout courtesy of City Fabrick.
The Long Beach Police Department’s (LBPD) Traffic Section will conduct a pedestrian safety operation on Wednesday, September 16 in areas with a high volume of pedestrian traffic, the LBPD announced on Monday.
Both drivers and pedestrians found in violation of the Vehicle Code will be stopped by officers. However, instead of a citation, violators will be given a verbal warning and a handout on pedestrian safety, according to the release.
“Our goal for this operation is education”, said Traffic Section Lieutenant Kris Klein in a statement. “There are many misconceptions regarding pedestrians and right-of-way laws. The information we will provide will help educate both pedestrians and the motoring public.”
According to Brian Ulaszewski of City Fabrick, the LBPD reached out to California Walks about education material regarding pedestrian/driver right-of-way knowledge, who then brought Walk Long Beach and City Fabrick into the discussion.
The handouts (pictured) were developed by Walk Long Beach and the LBPD as “fun educational material” for the safety program, as both organizations play their part in promoting pedestrian safety. Walk Long Beach is a collaboration between community organizations and local government agencies to promote walking in Long Beach. Ulaszewski said a handout regarding bicyclist and pedestrian safety is still to come.
According to the LBPD, pedestrian fatalities are rising in California as more people choose to use non-motorized methods of transportation. Locally, eight fatal collisions involving pedestrians have been investigated by the LBPD this year.
In 2013, 701 pedestrian deaths occurred in California, while nationally 4,735 pedestrians were killed.
A national study revealed that pedestrians and drivers do not obey laws and signals consistently, while many are often distracted by using their cell phones, texting and listening to music while walking or driving. According to the release, only 60 percent of pedestrians said they expected drivers to stop when they were in crosswalks, despite them having the right-of-way.
The following safety tips provided by the LBPD can save lives and stop this tragedy experienced far too often in the City of Long Beach:
FOR DRIVERS:
Look out for pedestrians, especially in hard-to-see conditions such as at night or in bad weather.
Slow down and be prepared to stop when turning or entering a crosswalk where pedestrians are likely to be.
Stop at the crosswalk stop line to give drivers in other lanes an opportunity to see and yield to the pedestrians too.
Be cautious when backing up – pedestrians, especially young children, can move across your path. For more child pedestrian safety tips, click here.
FOR PEDESTRIANS:
Be predictable. Follow the rules of the road, cross at crosswalks or intersections and obey signs and signals.
Walk facing traffic and as far from traffic as possible if there is no sidewalk.
Pay attention to the traffic moving around you. This is not the time to be texting or talking on a cell phone.
Make eye contact with drivers as they approach. Never assume a driver sees you.
Wear bright clothing during the day and reflective materials (or use a flashlight) at night.
Look left-right-left before crossing a street.
For more information about Walk Long Beach, click here, to learn more about City Fabrick, click here.