SAN FRANCISCO—The San Francisco Police Department are conducting a Traffic Safety Enforcement Operations on Thursday, November 30 to focus on bicycle and pedestrian safety.
According to a press release from the SFPD, in the past 3 years, the SFPD has identified areas where a large number 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.
The Department will be giving special attention to Focus on the Five 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 committed to eliminating traffic deaths on the streets by 2024, as part of Vision Zero SF. Vision Zero SF is San Francisco’s commitment to prioritize safe streets for everyone.
Bicycle and pedestrian fatalities have been on the rise in California, as more people use non-motorized means of transportation. In 2016, California saw over 867 pedestrians and 147 bicyclists killed. That accounts for more than 28 percent of all traffic fatalities.
Bicyclists are informed to always wear a helmet – those under 18 years of age are required to wear helmets by law. Pedestrians are expected cross the street only at marked or unmarked crosswalks at corners. Motorists are reminded to be mindful of others who share the road, while driving.
Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The Department also conducted an operation on Tuesday, November 28.
