Greatest Risk on the Road is Carried by Pedestrians and Cyclists
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Pedestrians and bike riders are the most at risk when they get into collisions with vehicles. The fact that they are unprotected from the physical forces often leaves them in serious condition or worse.
In Sacramento, a sting operation by the Sacramento Police Department at four different intersections in April led to twenty-six citations. They chose spots that were complained about by citizens and spent a few hours ticketing drivers who did not yield to undercover citizens. In California, pedestrians have the right of way, but they also have a responsibility for their own safety as well.
The Sacramento Police Department recommends that a pedestrian make eye-contact with a driver and give them time to stop, slow, or respond in some other way. Once contact has been made and the pedestrian enters the crosswalk, the vehicles must wait until they are completely out of the crosswalk before proceeding.
I know that many people will turn right or left after a pedestrian has gotten past the halfway point of a crosswalk, but you can be cited for that behavior and there's a good reason why. Drivers rely on other drivers to communicate what is going on in an intersection. I am the kind of person who would assume a pedestrian is not in the crosswalk if I saw a car driver across it.
The Sacramento PD issued a statement warning citizens that these stings will continue. It is obviously important to them to see some change in our community and prevent some of the serious injuries and deaths that occur in these instances. Injuries like the poor fifty-year-old man who was transported to Stanford Hospital in serious condition after being struck in Palo Alto.
Thankfully, not all instances of pedestrian v. vehicle collisions are so bad. A thirteen-year-old girl was struck by Deborah Sutterfield on Olive Highway. Although the vehicle sustained major damage, the girl miraculously only sustained minor injuries. A rare and wonderful outcome.
Pedestrains are not the only ones in danger either. During good weather many people enjoy a bicycle ride now and then. It is wonderful exercise and there are many beautiful trails in Sacramento, Chico, and the surrounding areas. Folsom has even won awards for their biking trails. But, again, bikers are not protected from injury when they get involved with vehicle collisions.
A six-year-old girl was recently struck by a vehicle in Magalia. It is believed that the poor girl lost control of her bike and the driver was unable to stop. As of June 13, Haleigh Cuevas is still in critical condition. It was reported that she was not wearing a helmet or even shoes. It's summertime and the kids are out of school, so please, please, please be safe. Wear a helmet. Save your life.
The friends and family of Devante Parker know how important it is to stay safe. He was struck while he was on his bicycle. His death has affected his entire community. There are so many people out walking and biking everyday that it is becoming very important that drivers know the law and stay vigilant. When a vehicle hits another vehicle it is scary and damaging, but when a vehicle hits a person who is not surrounded by one ton of metal and safety features, the consequences can be devastating.