Sharon Police Awarded Grant For Bike and Pedestrian Safety

SHARON, MA — The Sharon Police Department was awarded an $8,000 grant from the state Executive Office of Public Safety and Security to improve safety on local roads for pedestrians and bicyclists.

In total, nearly $700,000 was awarded to 93 police departments acrossMassachusetts, with money coming from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
With close to 6,000 pedestrians killed in 2016 across the country, pedestrians now account for a larger portion (16 percent) of traffic fatalities than they have in the past 33 years. In Massachusetts, that rate is even higher, with pedestrians representing more than 20 percent of all traffic fatalities. Bicyclists are dying at higher rates nationally as well. The 840 killed in crashes in 2016 are the most since 1991, according to the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security.

"Bicyclists and pedestrians are at risk from the motoring public because they may not be immediately visible to drivers and unlike those in vehicles, nothing protects them in a crash," said Lieutenant Coffey. "We'll analyze crash data to identify crosswalks, intersections, and roadways where our enforcement efforts can yield the largest impact on pedestrian and bicyclist safety."

Under the grant, departments will pay for overtime to better enforce traffic laws by all road users. Departments are also eligible to purchase educational materials, bicycle helmets, and safety items to help enhance pedestrian and bicyclist visibility at night.

The education CAMPAIGN, “Plan ahead. Get a Ride,"will stress the importance of having sober driver, using public transportation or a ride-share service.

“When an impaired driver is behind the wheel, everyone is at risk – passengers, other motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists,” said Chief John Ford of the Sharon Police Department. Regardless of the type or level of impairment, if a driver is operating the vehicle in a dangerous manner, they will be stopped.”