WARNING! Sebastopol police step up enforcement in crash-prone areas

[Barry]

Sebastopol police step up enforcement in crash-prone areas
https://www.pressdemocrat.com/news/5...up-enforcement

CLARK MASON
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT | January 28, 2016

Sebastopol police will be stepping up traffic enforcement over three days, targeting areas where collisions have occurred in the past.

On Friday and Sunday, police will be looking for violations by motorcyclists and those operating regular vehicles, in an effort to cut down on injury accidents and fatalities.

On Sunday, police will be turning their attention to violations made by bicyclists, pedestrians, as well as other vehicles. Extra officers will be patrolling areas where bike and pedestrian crashes occur the most.

Officers will be looking for violations made by drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians alike that can lead to life-changing injuries. Special attention will be directed toward drivers speeding, making illegal turns, failing to stop for signs and signals and failing to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks.

Additionally, pedestrians who cross the street illegally or fail to yield to drivers who have the right of way, can expect a citation. Bike riders will be stopped and citations issued when they fail to follow the same traffic laws that apply to motorists.

In 2013, California witnessed 701 pedestrians and 141 bicyclists killed, accounting for more than 28 percent of all traffic fatalities, said Sgt. Dave Harston.

Sebastopol police has investigated one fatal and numerous injury collisions involving pedestrians and bicyclists during the past three years.