The Orange County Sheriff’s Department has announced a traffic safety operation scheduled for Saturday, December 6, in San Clemente. The focus of the operation will be on driver behaviors that endanger bicyclists and pedestrians.
The department identified several violations as priorities for enforcement, including speeding, illegal turns, failure to yield or provide right of way to bicyclists or pedestrians, and not stopping at signs and signals.
Sergeant K. Ishii commented on the importance of road safety for all users: “We all have places to be and not everyone gets there by car. Bicyclists and pedestrians have the same rights to the road but face even more risk without the protections vehicles have. We should all be looking out for one another.”
To help reduce crashes and injuries, the department provided guidance for drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists. Pedestrians are advised to use crosswalks when available, stay visible by wearing light colors or reflective material especially at night or in low-light conditions, and avoid entering traffic unexpectedly since a vehicle traveling at 30 mph needs about 90 feet to stop.
Drivers are reminded not to speed, slow down at intersections, be ready to stop for pedestrians at both marked and unmarked crosswalks, avoid blocking crosswalks while waiting to turn right, and never drive while impaired.
Bicyclists are urged to obey traffic laws, use hand signals, ride with lights at night (white front light and red rear reflector), wear helmets, avoid riding too close to parked cars (“the door zone”), use bike lanes where appropriate unless turning or passing, and always yield right-of-way to pedestrians in crosswalks.
The operation aims to improve safety for vulnerable road users in San Clemente by targeting behaviors most likely to result in crashes involving people walking or biking.
