The Santa Maria Police Department stepped up their Bike and Pedestrian Safety Enforcement Operations Thursday morning by patrolling area’s that were prone to accidents over the past three years.
The operation was from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. Thursday.
Funding for this specific operation was provided by a $365,000 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety.
During this operation, officers were looking for violations made by drivers, bike riders and pedestrians that could cause life-changing injuries. A Santa Maria Police Department press release said special attention was given towards drivers speeding, making illegal turns, failing to stop for a sign and failing to yield at pedestrians.
Sgt. Duane Schneider said a lot of people who were stopped were bike riders riding against traffic or kids not wearing a helmet.
"We’re watching and we’re we’re educating the public so that people don’t get hurt while they are on the roadways and we have to share the road with pedestrians bicyclists and vehicles alike," Schneider said.
In total Santa Maria Police gave out 17 citations and made 30 stops.
