The Moreno Valley Traffic Team conducted a Pedestrian Decoy Program after receiving numerous complaints regarding motorists disregarding pedestrians walking in crosswalks, officials reported today.
Undercover officer dressed as Santa Claus helps nab drivers failing to stop for pedestrians in crosswalks. (Riverside County Sheriff)
In an effort to make the decoy pedestrian more visible to motorists, the undercover officer was dressed in a bright red Santa Claus costume.
“In previous operations many of the motorists who were stopped and cited said they never saw the decoy,” Sgt. James Bengston said.
Read, Undercover officer dressed as giant traffic cone helps nab motorists near school zone.
Today’s operation was conducted at the intersection of La Brisis Way and John F. Kennedy Drive near Armada Elementary School.
Several motorists were stopped for failing to stop for the undercover officer and told deputies that they never saw the Santa Claus outfitted decoy.
Out of the motorists stopped, eight received citations for failing to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk, a sheriff’s report stated.
“The California Vehicle Code requires motorists to yield to all pedestrians in a crosswalk,” Bengston explained.
Law enforcement officials plan to run this program throughout the year at various intersections in Moreno Valley.
For more information the Moreno Valley Police Department Traffic Division can be reached at 951-486-6900.
Stephanie D. Schulte is a writer/photographer with SWRNN. She can be reached at stephanie.schulte@swrnn.com.
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