The following information was shared with the Mission Hills Business Improvement District and Parking Advisory Committee from Officer David Surwilo, San Diego Police Department, Community Relations Officer, Western Division.
Message from Officer Surwilo: “This operation was a result of direct requests from members of the community. We welcome community input as we all strive to work together to build safer communities for our residents and businesses.”
Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Enforcement Operations Planned for San Diego
For Immediate Release: June 22, 2019
Contact: Officer Mark McCullough mmccullough@pd.sandiego.gov or (619) 818-4860 Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Enforcement Operations Planned for San Diego
The San Diego Police Department (Department) will be conducting a bicycle and pedestrian safety enforcement operation on Saturday, June 22, 2019, from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. The enforcement effort will be focused in the Department’s Western Division which includes the communities of Hillcrest, Mission Hills, Old Town, Linda Vista and Ocean Beach.
The Department has identified locations over the past three years where pedestrian and bicycle collisions have occurred, along with the violations that led to those crashes. Special attention will be directed toward drivers speeding, making illegal turns, failing to stop for signs/signals and failing to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks. Additionally, enforcement will be taken when pedestrians cross the street illegally or fail to yield to drivers who have the right of way.
The following safety tips will help keep all community members safe.
Drivers should:
- Look out for bicyclists, pedestrians and scooter riders, especially in hard to see conditions such as at night or in bad weather.
- Slow down and be prepared to stop when turning or entering a crosswalk where pedestrians are likely to be.
- Yield to pedestrians crossing at a crosswalk. When yielding, drivers should stop at the crosswalk stop line to give drivers in other lanes an opportunity to see and to also yield to the pedestrians.
- Be cautious when backing up. Pedestrians, especially kids, can move across your path quickly.
- ‘Share the road’ with bicyclists.
- Be courteous; California law now mandates at least three feet of clearance when passing a bicyclist.
- Look for bicyclists before opening a car door or pulling out from a parking space.
- Be watchful for bicyclists when making turns.
Bicyclists should:
- Wear properly fitted bicycle helmets every time they ride. If a bicyclist is under 18 years of age, a helmet is legally required.
- Follow the rules of the road. Bicyclists are legally required to obey the same rules as drivers including traffic signs, signals, and lane markings.
- Ride in the same direction as traffic.
- Increase their visibility by wearing fluorescent or brightly colored clothing.
- Have a front light and red rear reflector when riding at night as required by law.
Pedestrians should:
- Cross at crosswalks or intersections and obey signs and signals.
- Make eye contact with drivers as they approach crosswalks and intersections. Never assume a driver sees you.
- Look left-right-left before crossing a street.
- Walk facing traffic and as far from traffic as possible if there is no sidewalk.
- Pay attention to the traffic moving around them. This is not the time to be texting or talking on a cell phone.
- Wear bright clothing during the day and reflective materials at night Use a flashlight whenever possible.
Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.