SAN FRANCISCO—The San Francisco Police Department will be conducting Traffic Safety Enforcement Operation on Tuesday, August 8, Thursday, August 10, August 18, August 21 and August 29 with an emphasis on bicycle and pedestrian safety.
According to a press release from the SFPD, in the past 3 years the department has identified locations where significant numbers of pedestrian and bicycle-related collisions have transpired and responded by deploying additional officers to those areas in an effort to prevent deaths and injuries. Special attention will be given to Focus on the 5 violations: excessive and unsafe speed, unsafe turns, failure to stop for signs and signals, failure to yield to pedestrians in cross walks, as well as any other dangerous violation.
The city of San Francisco is aimed to eliminating traffic deaths on the streets by 2024 as part of Vision Zero SF. Vision Zero SF is the city’s commitment to prioritize safe streets for everyone. Bicycle and pedestrian fatalities have risen in California as more people use these non-motorized means of transportation. In 2013, California witnessed 701 pedestrians and 141 bicyclists killed, accounting for more than 28 percent of all traffic fatalities.
All riders are reminded to wear a helmet – those under 18 years of age are required by law to wear helmets. Pedestrians should cross the street only in marked or unmarked crosswalks at corners. All motorists are reminded to be mindful of others who share the road. Funding for the program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
