Dozens Ticketed In Redwood City Area As CHP Conducts Pedestrian Safety Operation

REDWOOD CITY, CA — As part of its ongoing efforts to improve pedestrian safety, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) recently conducted a pedestrian safety enforcement operation that focused on motorists and pedestrians that failed to yield the right-of- way or who take unsafe and illegal actions.

Pedestrian safety is a key issue in our community, and the CHP is committed to upholding pedestrian safety laws to protect our citizens.

On 8/22/2017, a pedestrian enforcement operation was conducted on Middlefield Road in unincorporated Redwood City, CA, focusing on drivers and pedestrians who were violating right-of- way laws. As a result of this effort, 33 citations and several warnings were issued, and an untold number of citizens were educated on the importance of pedestrian safety.

The CHP strongly encourages members of the community to follow basic safe practices:

• Drivers should be on the lookout for and yield the right-of- way to pedestrians.
  
• Drivers should slow down when in an area where pedestrians are likely to be.
  
• Never pass a car stopped for pedestrians. It’s against the law and highly dangerous for those crossing the street.
• Pedestrians should cross at the corner, at crosswalks, or intersections wherever possible. This is where drivers expect to see pedestrians.
• Pedestrians should look both ways for traffic before crossing, make eye contact with thedriver, and make certain cars are yielding before crossing. Having the right-of- way does not prevent you from being seriously injured by a driver who is not paying attention. Remember, pedestrians don’t have armor!
• Pedestrians should wear bright colored, reflective clothing and use a flashlight when walking during hours of darkness - Be visible!

Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

— SUBMITTED FOR PUBLICATION BY: CHP, Redwood City / Patch file photo by Renee Schiavone