This month, the Santa Monica Police Department will begin a program targeted at reducing the number of traffic violations committed by bicyclists. In 2012, to date, the police department has been called out to investigate 37 traffic accidents involving bicycles. In the majority of these cases, the participant not riding the bicycle was found to be responsible for the accident. The most common causes for an accident in which the bicyclist was found to be at fault were either failure to stop at a traffic sign or light, and failure to maintain a safe riding speed. In the state of California, anyone riding a bicycle on the roads has the same rights and responsibilities as anyone behind the wheel of an automobile.
The stricter enforcement program is part of the city of Santa Monica’s ongoing effort to make the city more bicycle friendly. The plan, approved by city council in November will bring 14 new miles of bike lanes, 17 miles of shared lanes, and new lanes buffered by a median strip along Ocean Park Avenue, Main Street, Second Street, and Broadway Avenue. The bill also includes funding for improving cyclist safety at 30 intersections and free driving and cycling safety classes.
As a Los Angeles car accident lawyer, I hope the roads can be make safer for motorists and cyclists alike, If you or someone you care about has been injured in an automotive accident, please consider contacting a Los Angeles personal injury attorney.