The Monterey Park Police Department stepped up Bike & Pedestrian Safety Enforcement Operations on Wednesday, May 13, 2015 with focused enforcement on collision causing factors involving motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists.

The police department has mapped out locations over the past several years where pedestrian and bike collisions have occurred along with the violations that led to those crashes. Extra officers were on duty patrolling areas where bikes and pedestrians travel and crashes occur in an effort to lower deaths and injuries.

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

Additionally, enforcement was taken for observed violations when pedestrians cross the street illegally or fail to yield to drivers who have the right of way. Bike riders were stopped and citations issued when they failed to follow the same traffic laws that apply to motorists. All riders are reminded that it’s recommended 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.

Locally, the Monterey Park Police Department has investigated 220 fatal and injury collisions involving pedestrians and bicyclists during the past three years. In 2012, California witnessed 612 pedestrian and 124 bicyclists killed that year. Nationally, 4,743 pedestrians and 726 bicyclists were killed. The Governors Highway Safety Association and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s 2012 data reveal that California leads the nation in bicycle and pedestrian deaths.

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