Temecula Deputies Respond As Pedestrian Traffic Deaths Rise In CA

Temecula CA

02 September, 2021

2:16 PM

Description

TEMECULA, CA — September is "Pedestrian Safety Month," and the Southwest Sheriff's Station is using federal grant money to crack down on traffic violators in Temecula and surrounding areas who put lives at risk. "For the safety of everyone walking or driving, the Southwest Station Traffic Team will have additional officers on patrol throughout September looking for California Vehicle Code violations pertaining to drivers and pedestrians," the station advised. Pedestrians are more and more at risk on the road, the station reported. "Based on data from the Governors Highway Safety Association, 2020 had the largest ever annual increase, 21 percent, in the rate at which drivers struck and killed pedestrians. In California, pedestrian deaths accounted for 27 percent of all traffic-related deaths in 2019," according to the station. During the monthlong crackdown, deputies will be on the lookout for those who violate yielding right-of-way at crosswalks, making illegal turns and not stopping for signs or signals (e.g., right turn on red or red light running), and speeding, the station said. The Southwest Sheriff's Station offered steps drivers and pedestrians can take to greatly reduce the risk of getting injured or in a crash, including staying off the phone when behind the wheel or walking: Pedestrians Be predictable; use crosswalks;Take notice of approaching vehicles and practice due care;Do not walk or run into the path of a vehicle; no vehicle can stop instantly — at 30 m.p.h., a driver needs at least 90 feet to stop;Be visible; make it easy for drivers to see you — wear light colors, reflective material and carry a flashlight, particularly at dawn, dusk or at night;And be extra careful crossing streets or entering crosswalks at night when it is harder to see, or when crossing busier streets with more lanes and higher speed limits. Drivers Follow the speed limit and slow down at intersections; be prepared to stop for pedestrians at marked and unmarked crosswalks;Avoid blocking crosswalks while waiting to make a right-hand turn;And never drive impaired.The Southwest Sheriff's Station patrols Temecula and nearby unincorporated areas of Aguanga, French Valley, Rainbow Canyon, Rancho California, Sage, Santa Margarita, Santa Rosa, Silver Hawk, and Wolf Valley. Funding for the Pedestrian Safety Month efforts was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.