Police Offer Traffic, Pedestrian Safety Tips

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During the month of October, the Livermore Police Department will be focusing its efforts on vehicle safety as it pertains to pedestrian safety. 

A pedestrian is defined as any person not in or upon a motor vehicle or other vehicle. On average, in the United States, a pedestrian is killed in a traffic crash every 120 minutes and injured in a traffic crash every 8 minutes. Many of these accidents can be avoided if drivers and pedestrians take extra effort during their encounters. The City of Livermore’s pedestrian accident statistics are below the national average. Recently LPD has responded to several vehicle vs. pedestrian collisions, especially around schools:

The Livermore Police Department takes a proactive approach to ensure the safety of pedestrians. The department’s Traffic Unit routinely conducts pedestrian safety operations throughout the city to enforce pedestrians’ right-of-way violations. The Traffic Unit will be conducting pedestrian operations on  Wednesday, Oct. 19. A similar operation was held earlier this month on Oct. 6.

The department also designates crossing guards to schools with high pedestrian and vehicle traffic. The crossing guards are there to assist students with crossing the busy roadways during school hours. Additionally, the city has several crosswalk traffic devices throughout the city at locations with high vehicle and pedestrian traffic. The devices are in-ground flashing lights to warn drivers of foot traffic crossing the roadway. Pedestrians are encouraged to use these crosswalks.

Drivers and pedestrians have equal responsibilities in the efforts to reduce pedestrian accidents:

Drivers should take extra caution when approaching crosswalks.

• Look for pedestrians near the crosswalk and prepare to yield when they enter the crosswalk.
• When driving in a residential area, particularly during the afternoon hours, or near a school zone, scan ahead for pedestrian traffic, especially for children, who may suddenly run out into the roadway.
• Extra caution should apply in the evening hours.

Pedestrians should always use designated crosswalks when crossing a busy roadway.

• Assume that the driver can’t see you until you have made eye contact.
• Once in the crosswalk continue to scan for traffic in each lane of traffic.
• When in doubt, yield to vehicle traffic.

These are basic rules of the road; however pedestrian accidents continue to occur when drivers and/or pedestrians ignore these rules.

When walking in traffic, protect yourself and your family by doing these things:           

• Walk on the Sidewalk
• Stay on the sidewalk and crosswalks. Avoid walking in traffic where there are no sidewalks or crosswalks. If you have to walk on a road that does not have sidewalks, walk facing traffic.
• Most people are hit by cars when they cross the road at places other than intersections.
• Stop at the curb and look left, right, and left again for traffic. Stopping at the curb signals drivers that you intend to cross. Cross in marked crosswalks and obey the signal.
• Drivers need to see you to avoid you.
• Stay out of the driver's blind spot.
• Make eye contact with drivers when crossing busy streets.
• Wear bright colors or reflective clothing if you are walking near traffic at night.
  Carry a flashlight when walking in the dark.
• Do not let kids play near traffic or cross the street by themselves. Kids are small, and drivers may not see them if they run into the street.
• Children should not cross streets by themselves or be allowed to play or walk near
  traffic. Kids are small, unpredictable, and cannot judge vehicle distances and speeds.
• When kids get older, teach them these three things to do before they cross the street:
• Try to cross at a corner with a traffic light.

Cross at Intersections: Look left, right, and left for traffic

• See and be seen
• Watch your kids
• Stop at the curb.
• Look left, right, and then left again to make sure no cars are coming.

The Livermore Police Department Traffic Unit’s primary goal is to reduce traffic collisions, particularly pedestrians, as those often result in injury.

If you have questions regarding pedestrian safety or general traffic issues, you can contact Officer Joe Nguyen, the Livermore Police Department Traffic Unit, at 925-371-4850.

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