Manhattan Beach Walkers: Tips For Staying Safe As A Pedestrian

MANHATTAN BEACH, CA — Manhattan Beach Police traffic officers are conducting "random pedestrian enforcement" this month as part of the state's Pedestrian Safety Month, said Tim Zins, MBPD public information officer. Zins said the enforcement is made possible thanks to a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety.

"With the hot weather coming this holiday weekend, our city will see many visitors coming to the beach," said Zins. "Many of these visitors will be walking to the beach and in our downtown area. We want to remind the community to put down their phones and keep their eyes on the road."

In Manhattan Beach last Wednesday morning, a pedestrian was hit hit by a truck at Manhattan Avenue and 24th Street while walking her dog. The woman was taken to a hospital and suffered non-life-threatening injuries, said Zins. "The pedestrian accident at 24th and Manhattan Avenue is an example of why we need to keep our eyes on the road. The driver took their eyes off the road and hit the pedestrian," he said.

Traffic code violations that result in injury to pedestrians include speeding, illegal turns, failure to yield and not stopping for signs or signals. Pedestrians who do not cross in marked crosswalks or designated crossing areas also are at greater risk.

The Manhattan Beach Police Department offers the following steps drivers and pedestrians can take to be safe:

Pedestrians

• Ditch the distractions. Keep your eyes up and phones down, especially when crossing the street.
• Always use marked crosswalks, preferably at stop signs or signals.
• Make eye contact and nod or wave at drivers. A quick nod or wave is an easy way to let a driver know you see them, and they see you.
• Be extra careful crossing streets or entering crosswalks at night when it is harder to see. Get in the habit of walking with a flashlight or wearing a reflective vest so it is easier for drivers to spot you.
• If you need to briefly walk into the street to maintain social distancing on sidewalks, remember to look both ways for cars.

Drivers

• Slow down on busy streets and at intersections.
• Avoid distractions, which includes cell phones, eating, using in-dash touch screens, or turning to talk to passengers.
• Be extra careful approaching crosswalks. Be prepared to stop for pedestrians. Stop prior to the crosswalk.
• Try to avoid blocking the crosswalk when making a right-hand turn.
• Have your headlights on and slow down at night when pedestrians are difficult to see.

Since 2009, the number of pedestrians killed or injured on California roads has increased dramatically, accounting for nearly 25% of all roadway deaths, according to a news release. A report earlier this year from the Governors Highway Association (GHSA) projected that pedestrian deaths in 2019 reached the highest point in more than 30 years.