Pedestrian Safety Awareness NA23088mp

WHAT:
Pedestrian safety event to bring awareness and communicate tips for safe walking and driving on the streets of the San Fernando Valley.

WHEN:
Monday, August 7, 2023
10:00 a.m.

WHERE:
Valley Traffic Division
7870 Nollan Place
Panorama City, Ca 91402

WHO:
Captain Jeffrey Hollis
Los Angeles Police Department
Valley Traffic Division

WHY:
Year-to-date in 2023, we have experienced 26 pedestrian-related traffic fatalities. In 19 of these cases, the pedestrian was at fault and crossing the street at an unsafe location.

According to California’s Office of Traffic Safety, California’s pedestrian fatality rate is almost 25% higher than the national average. Drivers and pedestrians must work together to demonstrate safe behaviors on the road to help protect themselves and those around them.

21954(a) California Vehicle Code
(a) Every pedestrian upon a roadway at any point other than within a marked crosswalk or within an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles upon the roadway so near as to constitute an immediate hazard.

Safety tips for pedestrians:
• Make yourself visible: wear bright colored clothing and carry a flashlight if you are walking at night.
• Avoid dangerous behaviors: always walk on the sidewalk (no jaywalking), stay sober, and make eye contact with drivers – don’t assume drivers can see you.
• Stay off your phone: talking and especially texting distracts you from paying attention to your surroundings.
• Look before you step: cross streets at marked crosswalks/intersections, obey traffic signals, and watch for turning vehicles. Look left-right-left before crossing.

Safety tips for drivers:
• Don’t speed: follow the speed limit, never use your phone, and always be cautious of your surroundings.
• Never drive under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.
• Look out for pedestrians: especially in hard-to-see conditions such as at night or in bad weather.
• Pedestrians have the right of way: when approaching any crosswalk or intersection yield and be prepared to stop.
• Stop at the crosswalk line: this gives drivers in other lanes an opportunity to see and yield to pedestrians as well.
• Be cautious when backing up: pedestrians, especially young children, can move across your path.
• Use extra caution: be vigilant when driving in hard-to-see conditions, such as nighttime or bad weather.
• Don’t tint your driver/passenger forward windows or windshield.

For more information, please contact Sergeant Stephen Slinsky, Valley Traffic Division (818) 644-8146.