The sheriff’s department periodically conducts DUI checkpoints in West Hollywood—but alcohol isn’t the only safety issue that can put people at risk. A sheriff’s department team conducted a pedestrian safety operation on Aug. 3 in West Hollywood and issued more than 50 citations.
A majority of the citations—about 40—were issued to drivers, and about 17 were issued to pedestrians, according to Lt. Dave Smith. The vehicle citations were split about evenly between a failure to yield to pedestrians and distracted driving (i.e. driving while texting), Smith said.
Smith also noted that it is not only drivers who cause accidents but that pedestrians, too, can be at fault and can create safety problems. Many of the pedestrians cited were either jaywalking or walking against red lights, he said.
“We hope we don’t have to write a citation to anybody, but we do them for safety reasons,” Smith said.
Smith said that fines for the violations are determined by the courthouse, so he was not able to provide the amount of the tickets.
Pedestrian/crosswalk safety has been a hot topic in West Hollywood since a June 28 accident in which a man was hit while crossing Santa Monica Boulevard in June.
the police should be doing this every day not just once in a while.
west hollywood should have a reputation for being tough on
distracted drivers and jaywalkers.
ABSOLUTELY TRUE! Yesterday I was walking my dog and a fellow in a motorized wheel chair almost ran into us on the sidewalk. He was reading his iphone. I said “sir, please don’t text and drive.” He apologized.
Glad to see some efforts being made to increase pedestrian safety in West Hollywood. I think it was great for the city to re-vamp Santa Monica Boulevard and put in all the bike lanes and crosswalks but, this makes it all the more important for drivers to SLOW DOWN and let people cross and for pedestrians to look before they step out into the street. Thanks for the post and keeping us up to date on these efforts.
Thank you Larry, the more we get the message out the safer our friends and family and customers are going to be!
I’m really proud to say that the Cross Safe WeHo team really has made a difference. It was an honor to have Lieutenant Dave Smith shake my hand as he told me about this ‘crosswalk sting’ Two weeks prior Capt. Gary Honings walked the street with two of his fellow officers and two members of the Public Safety Commission and stopped into my store BlockParty to say.. ‘wanted to show you we heard ya’ Cross Safe WeHo and those ‘illegal signs’ caught the attention of city hall…. watch for new crosswalk initiatives on one of the next two city council… Read more »
Walking into the street without looking because the pedestrian has the right of way is both dangerous and stupid. But wouldn’t want to interrupt that important texting or phone call.