Law Enforcement Corner: Pedestrians have responsibilities on the road, too
Friday, January 15, 2010
During the last three months of 2009, the Temecula Police Department responded to and investigated several major injury collisions.
At least four of these collisions, resulted in deaths. With a city the size of Temecula, collisions are inevitable and tragically, deaths do occur. What is unique to the end of 2009 is that these collisions involved not vehicle vs. vehicle, but vehicles vs. pedestrians. Throughout these investigations, the cause, or “Primary Collision Factor” was found to be the fault of the pedestrian.
All of these incidents with the exception of one occurred outside of a marked crosswalk, and the crosswalk incident had the “Don’t Walk” symbol illuminated.
The roadway is a dangerous place to be for a motorist, who is required to be constantly vigilant to other vehicles, persons, animals and debris, that could cross their paths and result in collisions.
What responsibility does the pedestrian have?
The California Vehicle Code answers this, with over 35 specific sections, not including sub-sections, dedicated to pedestrian law. These laws dictate when a pedestrian may be in a roadway and what are his/her responsibilities as well as what responsibilities fall on the vehicle driver.
The underlining phrase found throughout these sections is, “This Section does not relieve a pedestrian from the duty of using due care for his or her safety.” In other words, enter or cross a roadway ONLY when it is safe to do so and be constantly vigilant for approaching vehicles while in the roadway.
Never assume a motorist sees you.
Do not assume that just because you are in a crosswalk, have a “Walk” symbol, or one car stops for you that it is safe to enter or cross. Be cautious, continually scan the roadway in both directions and never try to beat an approaching vehicle.
A recent collision involved a skateboarder who was attempting to cross a busy roadway, during a heavy traffic time, by riding in an out of vehicles. As a result of this action, the rider was struck by a turning vehicle and sustained a major injury.
Collisions such as these are preventable by making safety conscious decisions. Always use a crosswalk whenever possible. If no crosswalk is present, always cross the roadway at an intersection, preferably a controlled intersection, either by signal or sign. Never cross the street in between two controlled intersections, as this is defined as “Jaywalking”. And as always, cross in a safe manner.
The Temecula Police Department urges the citizens of Temecula to contact the police department if they have concerns regarding pedestrian crossings or have information of pedestrians walking in the roadway.
Your call may just have saved a life.
The Temecula Police Department wishes all of its citizens a very happy and safe 2010 year.
Any questions related to this article and be submitted to the Temecula Police Department Traffic Bureau at 951-696-3000.
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Comment by: Andy Posted: January 19, 2010, 3:42 pm
People who run in the roadway are no less guilty of traffic violations than everyone else who uses those roads. I cannot believe this is such a huge problem that the police have to make a good faith warning to the public. Why are people not learning these common sense coping skills in schools?
Comment by: Andy Posted: January 22, 2010, 8:40 am
I must add to be fair, why aren’t parents teaching their kids these coping skills either? I know kids want to be rebellious but come on. I have driven by nearly every secondary school in the Temecula and Hemet districts and kids are just running rampant across the street with little to no fear about the ton of metal coming at them. When people see that they want to blame someone. The problem is community wide and all parts need to work together.