The Santa Maria Police Department is increasing its bicycle and pedestrian safety enforcement starting Tuesday.
Officers will be focusing on crash-causing factors between drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians. They will be patrolling areas where crashes have been reported more frequently over the past three years.
They will be looking for people violating certain rules of the road including speeding, making illegal turns, not stopping at stoplights or signs and failing to yield at crosswalks. Enforcement will also be looking for pedestrians crossing the street illegally or failing to stop for cars that have the right of way.
The operation is being funded by a grant given to the department by the California Office of Traffic Safety.
The Santa Maria Police Department has investigated nearly 230 injuries from crashes involving pedestrians and bicyclists over the past three years. Six of those investigations were focused on fatal crashes.
