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The original item was published from 8/5/2022 11:10:00 AM to 8/10/2022 2:38:59 PM.

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Thermal Station

Posted on: August 5, 2022

[ARCHIVED] Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Operation - Update

Riverside County Sheriff's Department Press Release

Reporting Deputy: Sergeant C Olson

File # N/A

Update:

29 Cited During Bicycle, Pedestrian Safety Operation

La Quinta, Calif. –The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, city of La Quinta, issued 29 citations in areas with high bicycle/pedestrian related collisions for a variety of violations made by drivers during a bicycle and pedestrian safety operation on August 4, 2022.

29 drivers were cited for violations including unsafe speed, using cell phones while driving, failing to stop at stop signs, failing to stop at red signals, failing to yield to pedestrians and cyclists. Two drivers were charged with driving without a license, and two drivers were booked into the Indio Jail for outstanding criminal warrants.

The operation took place at in the south end of the city of La Quinta, which is a heavily traveled route amongst cyclists, as well as along the Highway 111 corridor which is frequented by both cyclists and pedestrians.

“Safety is a shared responsibility, with drivers holding the greatest responsibility to keep other road users safe,” Deputy Kevin Moore said. “We hope this operation serves as a reminder to everyone to practice due care and to look out for one another.”

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, city of La Quinta, will be holding another bicycle and pedestrian safety operation in September 2022.

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

Details:

La Quinta, Calif. – The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, city of La Quinta, will conduct a traffic safety operation on Thursday, August 4th, from 5am to 6pm. The operation will be focused on the most dangerous driver behaviors that put the safety of people biking or walking at risk.

These violations include speeding, making illegal turns, failing to yield or provide right of way to bicyclists or pedestrians, or failing to stop for signs and signals.

“We all have places to be and not everyone gets there by car,” Deputy Robert Wiggs said. “Bicyclists and pedestrians have the same rights to the road but face even more risk without the protections vehicles have. We should all be looking out for one another.”

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, city of La Quinta,  offers steps drivers and pedestrians can take to greatly reduce the risk of getting injured or in a crash:

Pedestrians

  • Be predictable. Use crosswalks, when available.
  • Take notice of approaching vehicles and practice due care.
  • Do not walk or run into the path of a vehicle. At 30 mph, a driver needs at least 90 feet to stop.
  • Be visible. Make it easy for drivers to see you – wear light colors, reflective material and carry a flashlight, particularly at dawn, dusk or at night.
  • Be extra careful crossing streets or entering crosswalks at night when it is harder to see, or when crossing busier streets with more lanes and higher speed limits.

Drivers

  • Follow the speed limit and slow down at intersections. Be prepared to stop for pedestrians at marked and unmarked crosswalks.
  • Avoid blocking crosswalks while waiting to make a right-hand turn.
  • Never drive impaired.

Bicyclists

  • Obey traffic laws, use hand signals, use lights at night (front white light and rear red reflector), and wear a helmet.
  • Bicyclists must travel in the same direction of traffic and have the same requirements as any slow-moving vehicle.
  • Avoid the door zone: do not ride too closely to parked cars.
  • If there’s a bike lane, use it, unless making a left turn, passing, or approaching a place where a right turn is allowed.
  • Yield to pedestrians. Bicyclists must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians within marked crosswalks or within unmarked crosswalks at intersections.

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

For media inquiries regarding this incident please contact the Media Information Bureau.

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