RivCo Deputies To Ramp Up Patrols For Pedestrian Safety Month

MORENO VALLEY, CA — October is National Pedestrian Safety Month, and the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office, Moreno Valley Station, is urging drivers to take extra precautions to protect people walking on local streets.

Deputies at the Moreno Valley Sheriff’s Station will be ramping up enforcement this month, targeting dangerous driving behaviors such as speeding, illegal turns, failing to yield, and running stop signs or red lights, the agency announced Thursday.

Across the U.S., a pedestrian is killed every 72 minutes and injured every eight minutes in traffic crashes nationwide, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. I

In California, 1,106 pedestrians were struck and killed in 2023.

“In Moreno Valley, walking should always be an easy and safe option for getting around,” Sgt. Marcos Acosta said in a statement. “We want to make sure that people walking are safe. We urge drivers to take the time to look out for people. Small actions, like slowing down, putting away distractions and yielding at crosswalks, can reduce crashes and serious injuries.”

Officials noted that vehicle speed significantly affects pedestrian survival rates. A collision at 35 mph is far more likely to be deadly than one at 20 mph.

The Sheriff’s Office also offered the following safety tips for both drivers and pedestrians:

• Follow the speed limit, especially near schools, neighborhoods, and areas with heavy foot traffic.
• Use extra caution in low-visibility conditions.
• Never drive under the influence.
• Always stop for people in crosswalks and avoid blocking them when waiting to turn.
• Stay off the phone while driving or walking and keep your focus on the road.

Funding for the program is provided by the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.