OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

DETAILS:

The Oxnard Police Department Awarded Traffic Education and Enforcement Grant from the Office of Traffic Safety

The Oxnard Police Department received a $400,000.00 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) for a one-year enforcement and education program. The money will fund various activities intended to reduce deaths and injuries on California roads.

Oxnard Police Chief Scott Whitney commented that “we appreciate the funding from the California Office of Traffic Safety and will put it to good use to promote safe driving habits.  The funding will allow for extra preventative measures through traffic safety education and enforcement.  There is no excuse to be a dangerous driver and put others at risk.  We all have a shared responsibility as drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists to take extra precautions to create safer roadways and reduce collisions.”

The grant-related activities are for the 2020 federal fiscal year, which runs from Oct. 1, 2019 to Sept. 30, 2020.

The funding from the OTS will be used for numerous programs, including:

• DUI/driver’s license checkpoints.
• Patrols specifically looking for suspected alcohol and/or drug-impaired drivers.
• Patrols targeting violations of California’s hands-free cell phone law and vehicle code violations by drivers, motorcyclists, bicyclists and pedestrians that put other roadway users at risk.
• Patrols targeting the primary causes of crashes: Speeding, improper turns, running stop signs or signals, right-of-way violations and driving on the wrong side of the road.
• Traffic safety education presentations for youth and community members on distracted and impaired driving, bicycle and pedestrian safety.
• Serving warrants to multiple DUI offenders.
• Creating “Hot Sheets” identifying repeat DUI offenders.
• Officer training to identify suspected impaired drivers and conduct sobriety tests.

“Getting in a vehicle remains one of the most dangerous things we do,” OTS director Barbara Rooney said. “We must continue to work with our partners in law enforcement to shift that realization and make traveling on our roads safer.”

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

DATE / TIME PREPARED:  October 31, 2019 / 10:00 a.m.

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

DETAILS:

On October 24, 2019, at approximately 7:50 a.m., officers from the Oxnard Police Department and EMS personnel responded to a pedestrian-involved traffic collision that occurred at the intersection of San Mateo Place and Earhart Court.  Officers determined that a Lemonwood School student and his grandmother were in a marked crosswalk when they were struck by the vehicle.

Officers determined the vehicle was traveling at a slow speed when the student darted away from his grandmother directly into the path of the vehicle.  Both pedestrians were transported to a local hospital with minor injuries.

At the time of the collision, there was a school crossing guard located at the intersection of San Mateo Place and Dupont Street, which is located approximately 260 feet west of where the collision occurred.  Chief Whitney stated, “There are five intersections around Lemonwood School with crosswalks.  Cities generally do not have the resources to staff crossing guards at every intersection around every school.  We all have a shared responsibility as drivers, pedestrians, and parents to take extra precautions around our schools to protect our kids.”

The Oxnard Police Department reminds motorists to drive with extra care during the morning rush hours.   During the month of October, there have been 50 traffic collisions that have occurred between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m.  In an effort to promote traffic safety near our schools, the Oxnard Police Department offers the following tips for drivers and pedestrians:

Pedestrians

• Cross the street at crosswalks, preferably with a stop sign, signal, or school crossing guard. Do not cross the street midblock (no jaywalking).
• Make eye contact with drivers and ensure all vehicles come to a stop prior to entering the roadway.
• Avoid entering the roadway between parked vehicles.
• Do not use your cell phone or wear earbuds while walking.

Drivers

• Recognize drop-off and pick-up times are more congested.
• Avoid distractions while driving (cell phone, eating, grooming).
• Follow the speed limit.
• If the sun is impairing your vision, slow down to a safer speed.
• Yield to pedestrians at marked and unmarked crosswalks.
• Make sure the path is clear before making a turn at an intersection.

The Oxnard Police Department continually looks to improve safety for all motorists and pedestrians. Recent efforts to improve school bicycle and pedestrian safety include multiple enforcement details focused on school zone safety. These enforcement efforts included an emphasis on parking violations, drop-off and pick-up, pedestrian safety, and unsafe speed.  In addition to the enforcement efforts, the Traffic Unit provides regular education to our community on bicycle and pedestrian safety.

The Oxnard Police Department will continue to work closely with the school districts and City’s Traffic Engineer to evaluate and improve traffic safety near our schools.  In 2017, the Police Department completed traffic safety assessments for each school in our City.  We have committed to updating those assessments in the coming months.

To find out more information about traffic safety including impaired driving, distracted driving and pedestrian and bicycle safety, visit: gosafelyca.org.

DATE / TIME PREPARED:  October 24, 2019 / 6:00 p.m.