October is National Pedestrian Safety Month and the CHP is helping out

SHASTA COUNTY, Calif. — A recent federal grant from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is helping the California Highway Patrol (CHP) to expand its protection of pedestrians and bicyclists.

The most vulnerable roadway users are pedestrians and bicyclists. This grant will promote the importance of drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians looking out for one another so that everyone can safely share the road," said CHP commissioner Amanda Ray.

She wants to use the money from the grant tolaunch a yearlong effort to educate and enforce traffic safety laws for drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians through Sep. 30, 2023.

Enforcement patrols will focus on areas with higher bicyclist and pedestrian traffic and crashes. Officers will also conduct public awareness campaigns in communities throughout the state.

This grant funds bicycle safety training and educational presentations to promote safe and courteous traffic safety behaviors by drivers and bicyclists, as well as safety publications, bicycle helmets, reflective gear, and other vital safety equipment.

CHP Public Information Officer Cal Robertson explained some of the ways they will encourage you to stay safe as you are walking or cycling.

We're excited to inform people on safe practices, we've got some reflective gear like slat bands that we pass out and encourage pedestrians and bicyclists to be seen, to wear reflective items, to wear bright clothing whether that's on a bicycle or as a pedestrian.

Don't forget that Oct. 12 is National Walk to School Day!CHP officers in plainclothes will work with uniformed officers to monitor crosswalks and areas surrounding schools for motorists who fail to yield the right-of-way or who take unsafe and illegal actions.

In California, nearly 20% of all traffic-related deaths are pedestrian or bicyclist fatalities.

Robertson said with one-fourth of the fatalities being pedestrians or bicyclists they want to decrease that by enforcement and education.

It's a big deal. One out of four fatalities that involve a motor vehicle involve a pedestrian or a bicyclist. We certainly want to lower that and we don't want to see that and so through education and enforcement we are going to achieve that.

Don't forget that Oct. 12 is National Walk to School Day! CHP officers in plainclothes will work with uniformed officers to monitor crosswalks and areas surrounding schools for motorists who fail to yield the right-of-way or who take unsafe and illegal actions.

Healthy Shasta will also be celebrating walk to school day tomorrow and schools throughout Shasta County will be participating, so make sure to check with your child's school for their plans.

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