Ahead of the holiday weekend, the Long Beach Police Department (LBPD) is urging residents to remain cautious on the roads.

In a release issued Thursday, the LBPD states that more fatal pedestrian incidents are occurring as people use non-motorized forms of transportation, including 583 fatal and injury collisions involving pedestrians in the last three years.

“With warmer weather upon us, we expect more people to be out on the streets, including after dark,” said Support Bureau Commander Don Wood in a statement. “Everyone should take extra precautions to ensure they aren’t distracted while on the roadway, whether operating a vehicle, motorcycle or on foot. With summer break underway, parents should also speak to their young ones about rules of the road, and actually teach them how to cross a street safely. This is something parents need to take seriously, as their child’s life could depend on it.”

According to the release, 612 pedestrians were killed in 2012 while 4,743 pedestrians were killed nationwide. Meanwhile, traffic fatalities have decreased from 15 in 2014, compared to 31 in 2012.

Eleven fatal collisions have occurred this year, with seven involving pedestrians. The LBPD states that their Traffic Section is honing in on pedestrian traffic violation enforcement, including failure to obey traffic control devices, walking outside of the crosswalk and vehicles failing to yield to pedestrians who have the right of way.

The release included several tips to avoid collisions.

For pedestrians, these tips include:

  1. Be predictable; follow the rules of the road, cross at crosswalks or intersections and obey signs and signals.
  2. Walk facing traffic and as far from traffic as possible if there is no sidewalk.
  3. Pay attention to the traffic moving around you; don’t text or talk on your cell phone.
  4. Don’t use ear buds in both ears; this could prevent you from hearing oncoming traffic.
  5. Make eye contact with drivers as they approach; never assume a driver sees you.
  6. Wear bright clothing during the day or reflective materials (or use a flashlight) at night.
  7. Look left-right-left before crossing a street.

For drivers, these tips include:

  1. Look out for pedestrians, especially in hard-to-see conditions during darkness, when the sun is in your eyes, or bad weather.
  2. Slow down and be prepared to stop when turning or entering a crosswalk where pedestrians are likely to be.
  3. Stop at the crosswalk stop line to give drivers in other lanes an opportunity to see and yield to pedestrians also.
  4. Be cautious when backing up. Pedestrians, especially young children, can move across your path.

For more traffic safety information, contact the LBPD Traffic Section at 562.570.7209.