Pedestrians and Motorists Receive a Warning from Laguna Beach Police Department

LAGUNA BEACH, CA—Collisions between motorists and pedestrians can be if not deadly, life altering. The Laguna Beach Police Department has researched what they can do to make a difference to both drivers and pedestrians. Expect to get ticketed--whether you are a driver or pedestrian--for violations failure to yield, speeding, and crossing the street illegally.

A long and detailed study of accidents in Laguna Beach, which began in January, 2011, has showed reoccurring locations where pedestrian vs. motorist crashes have occurred, along with the types of violations that led to the crashes. This information will help officers in their Pedestrian Safety Enforcement Operation that begins on Aug. 10.

With over 700 witnessed pedestrian deaths in the state of California in 2013--much higher than the national average--a recent National Highway Traffic Safety Administration study shows that pedestrians and drivers do not obey laws and signals consistently. Compounded with the use of cell phones for texting or playing Pokemon Go, or listening to music that occurs while walking or driving, it is said that only 60-percent of pedestrians expect drivers to stop when they are in crosswalks, even when they have the right of way.

"Officers will be conducting directed enforcement at those locations, looking for traffic offenses made by both drivers and pedestrians, alike, that can lead to life-changing injuries," Laguna Beach Police Lt. Jeff Calvert said in recent release. "Special attention will be given to drivers who are speeding, making illegal turns and failing to stop for signs and signals, as well as failing to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks." All other dangerous violations will also be monitored.

"The Laguna Beach Police Department would like to remind both drivers and pedestrians to be alert and share the roadway," Calvert said.

For Calvert and the Laguna Beach Police Department, monitoring pedestrian traffic is of equal importance as monitoring motorists.

"Enforcement action will be taken against pedestrians committing violations such as crossing the street illegally or failing to yield to drivers who have the right of way," he said. "Pedestrians should cross the street only at marked crosswalks or corners."

Program funding is provided through a grant from California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.