SLTPD to step up pedestrian safety enforcement

The South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD) will step up their pedestrian safety enforcement operations during the month of September as part of “California Pedestrian Safety Month.”

With a rapidly increasing number of pedestrians being killed and injured on roadways in the state of California, the Senate passed a resolution to bring attention to the 813 pedestrians killed on California roadways in 2015 alone. This was nearly 25 percent of all roadways deaths in the state, up from 17 percent just ten years earlier.

SLTPD joins other law enforcement agencies, city and state transportation agencies, pedestrian advocates and walking clubs to promote public awareness aimed at both drivers and pedestrians alike to always be aware of each other and share the road responsibly.

Their focus will be on collision causing factors involving motorists and pedestrians in South Lake Tahoe. Routine traffic patrols will focus efforts in trouble spots while special targeted patrols will also be deployed to crackdown on drivers and pedestrians who violate traffic laws meant to protect all roadway users. Officers will be looking for traffic offenses made by drivers and pedestrians alike that can lead to life changing injuries.

Both drivers and walkers are cautioned to put down the cell phones, since electronic distractions are seen in increasing numbers of pedestrian crashes. Other factors for drivers include high speed and failure to see and yield to pedestrians in crosswalks and intersections. For pedestrians, the major dangers are jaywalking and thinking that they can be seen at night, especially while wearing dark clothing.

In addition to local efforts, the California Office of Traffic Safety is kicking off a new campaign, “Pedestrians Don’t Have Armor,” which highlights the importance of pedestrian safety awareness, regardless of whether one is on foot or behind the wheel. Caltrans has kicked off its new California State Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan aimed at improving safety and access for everyone across all modes, particularly bicycle and pedestrian. The CHP is emphasizing safe walking through its international award winning California Pedestrian and Bicyclist Safety Enforcement and Education Project.