OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

DETAILS:

Bicycle & Pedestrian Safety Operation planned for Oxnard

The Oxnard Police Department will be conducting a Bicycle & Pedestrian Safety Enforcement Operation on Monday, September 10, 2018, with focused enforcement on collision causing factors involving motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists.

The Oxnard Police Department has mapped out locations over the past three (3) years where pedestrian and bicycle collisions have occurred along with the violations that led to those crashes. Extra officers will be on duty patrolling areas where bicycle, pedestrian, and traffic crashes occur in an effort to lower deaths and injuries.

Officers will be looking for violations made by drivers, bike riders, and pedestrians alike that can lead to life-changing injuries. Special attention will be directed toward drivers speeding, making illegal turns, failing to stop for signs and signals, failing to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks, or any other dangerous violations.

Additionally, enforcement will be taken for observed violations when pedestrians cross the street illegally or fail to yield to drivers who have the right of way. Bike riders will be stopped and citations issued when they fail to follow the same traffic laws that apply to motorists. All riders are reminded to always wear a helmet – those under 18 years of age must wear helmets by law. Pedestrians should cross the street only in marked crosswalks or at corners.

Bicycle and pedestrian fatalities are rising in California as more people use these non-motorized means of transportation. Locally, the Oxnard Police Department has investigated nine fatal and 260 injury collisions involving pedestrians and bicyclists during the past three (3) years. In 2013, California witnessed 701 pedestrians and 141 bicyclists killed, accounting for more than 28 percent of all traffic fatalities.

The following safety tips can save lives and stop this tragedy witnessed far too often in Oxnard:

Drivers:

“Share the road” with bicyclists.
Be courteous; California law now mandates at least three feet of clearance when passing bike riders.
Look for cyclists before opening a car door or pulling out from a parking space.
Yield to cyclists at intersections and as directed by signs and signals.
Be especially watchful for riders when making turns; either left or right.
It is unlawful to drive in a bike lane except for 200 feet prior to making a right or left turn.

Bicyclists:

Wear properly fitted bicycle helmets every time you ride. If under 18 years of age, it’s the law.
A helmet is the single most effective way to prevent head injury resulting from a bicycle crash.
Riders are considered vehicle operators; they are required to obey the same rules of the road as other vehicle operators, including obeying traffic signs, signals, and lane markings.
When cycling in the street, cyclists must ride in the same direction as traffic.
Bicyclists should increase their visibility to drivers by wearing fluorescent or brightly colored clothing during the day and at dawn and dusk.
To be noticed when riding at night, the law requires a front light and a red reflector or flashing red light to the rear.

Pedestrians:

Be alert at all times while walking near busy streets.
Use designated crosswalks when crossing any roadway.
Follow the Walk/Don’t walk signal at intersections.
Limit distractions such as cell phones and headphones.

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

DATE / TIME PREPARED: September 7, 2018 / 4:30 p.m.