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Los Angeles Police Conduct Sting Operation to Enforce Pedestrian Safety Rules

California is not exactly renowned for its welcoming attitude to pedestrians, and the city of Los Angeles is probably one of the worst. That is somewhat strange considering that Los Angeles’ traffic problems are the stuff of nightmares. In a situation like this, you would’ve thought that motorists here would be more welcoming of pedestrians who help decongest traffic.

That isn’t the case at all. If anything, many motorists in Los Angeles continue to disregard pedestrian safety rules without any consequences. However to crack down on these disobedient motorists, the Los Angeles Police Department began conducting a sting operation last week. Officers of the Los Angeles Police Department were out in plainclothes on several roads in North Hollywood. The officers were looking for cars that failed to respect pedestrian rights, by racing across intersections without bothering to look for pedestrians, and failing to stop for a pedestrian. Officers were quick to cite such motorists. In all, the police issued 159 citations to motorists who failed to yield to pedestrians.

The Los Angeles Police Department is drawing particular attention to the fact that motorists must stop for pedestrians, regardless of whether they are on, or not on a crosswalk. It’s important that motorists look for pedestrians when they near a crosswalk, and stop in time to allow the pedestrian to cross.

A sting operation like this was especially necessary in Los Angeles. Pedestrian accident fatalities are up this year. In the San Fernando Valley, pedestrian accident fatalities are up by 27% in 2010. In North Hollywood, the numbers of pedestrians who have been injured in accidents have increased by 40% over the past year.

No one denies that sometimes pedestrians do contribute to accidents. For instance, pedestrians must always obey “don’t walk“ signs. Only cross the road on a marked and designated crosswalk, if there is not a crosswalk near them, then they must cross the road at the corner. However, the majority of pedestrian accidents that occur in Los Angeles happen because of motorists’ failure to look out for pedestrians, or stop in time for them.

Los Angeles accident attorneys would like to see more such sting operations and crackdowns by the Los Angeles Police Department. The police need to send a stern message-motorists who are caught violating rules will be penalized immediately. There also seems to be the need for greater awareness among drivers. In the city of Los Angeles in particular, California injury lawyers see that most safety programs continue to focus on motorists and their safety, rather than the safety of pedestrians and bicyclists. As a result, there is still a lack of awareness about the rights of pedestrians.

For instance, many motorists believe that pedestrian rights only come into effect when these persons are at a crosswalk. If you spot a pedestrian trying to cross the road even outside of a crosswalk, it’s time for you to stop. The US Department of Transportation is promoting walking and bicycling as a means to commute, that can relieve our dependence on fuel, and clear up our congested metros. It’s important that local police prepare for more numbers of pedestrians by enforcing safety laws.

The Reeves Law Group is a law firm with offices throughout California dedicated exclusively to the representation of personal injury victims, including victims of  pedestrian accident. Please visit our website at trlglaw.com. If you desire a free consultation on a personal injury matter, please call us at (800) 644-8000 or email us.

The Reeves Law Group is not representing any party in the matters discussed in this posting.

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