SAN DIEGO — San Diego police on Sunday were on the lookout for pedestrians not using crosswalks, bicyclists violating traffic laws and motorists putting bicyclists and pedestrians at risk.
Officers were out until from noon until about 8 p.m. looking for violations including drivers speeding and failing to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks, pedestrians who cross streets illegally or don't yield when drivers have the right of way and bike riders on the wrong side of the road or violating traffic laws, San Diego police Officer Mark McCullough said.
The enforcement was done within routine traffic patrols in trouble spots and targeted patrols occurred in areas including Balboa Park, Gaslamp, Little Italy, and the Marina, McCullough said.
"Whether you are on foot, behind the wheel or on a bike, you play a part in roadway safety," he said. "Understanding the rules of the road using all modes of transportation helps ensure we all get to our destination safely."
The enforcement operation was aimed at educating bicyclists, drivers and pedestrians amid rising fatalities, McCullough said.
In 2016, 138 bicyclists and 867 pedestrians were killed on California roads which was a 33% increase over 2012 pedestrian fatalities, with the number of bicyclist deaths up 25% over five years, he said.
