A recent Sacramento-based operation designed to reduce those incidents that could lead to a pedestrian collision has apparently been successful, with 45 people receiving a ticket from a law enforcement official.
The endeavor took place this past Saturday and was overseen by the California Highway Patrol. To catch motorists who failed to respect the rights of crossing pedestrians (and to catch pedestrians whose actions put themselves and even automobile operators at risk), representatives of the department dressed in plain clothes and then attempted to cross the street.
As a result of their efforts, the CHP was able to cite 26 drivers who neglected to provide the right of way to pedestrians in the crosswalk. An additional 15 drivers received a citation for things like not making their intentions known via turn signals or for switching lanes at inopportune times. Four tickets were handed out to pedestrians who crossed at inappropriate moments or places.
Recent accidents in Sacramento are thought to be responsible for the increased attention to safety in the area. In the past three months alone, there have been 15 injuries and ten fatalities affecting pedestrians.
The California Office of Traffic Safety made the operation possible with a grant provided to the CHP’s Pedestrian and Bicycle Enforcement and Education Project. A spokesperson for the CHP touted the event as a success.