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During an extra enforcement campaign targeting traffic violations that put bicyclists and pedestrians at risk, Pasadena police officers reportedly issued 155 tickets in a single day. The operation consisted of officers looking for traffic violations by drivers, cyclists and pedestrians.
According to Allstate’s 2019 report that identifies which of the 200 largest U.S. cities have the safest drivers, Pasadena ranked 187th. In Pasadena, there were three fatal and 16 severe injury collisions in 2019, and two fatal and nine severe injury collisions in 2020 over the seven-month period.
Officers cited 108 drivers for violations ranging from running red lights to distracted driving. Moreover, according to police, 25 bicyclists received tickets, along with 22 pedestrians. Funding for the campaign was provided by the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
In a written statement, Lt. Anthony Russo said: “We are in an unprecedented time, but even during a pandemic, the safety of road users remains a top priority. We hope this operation serves as a reminder to everyone to practice safe biking, driving and walking behaviors when they are out.”
As we reported previously, fewer motorists have been seen out on the road since the safer-at-home order was issued in March because of the coronavirus pandemic. However, one alarming factor that has not changed is speed, which has not decreased, according to a staff report to the city’s Transportation Advisory Commission.
Per the department’s report, traffic dropped by about 55% at the beginning of the lockdown and has steadily increased every month since the order was lifted. By June, the decrease was down to 25%, and it now remains at a 10% reduction.
Once the stay-at-home order began, average traffic speed increased by 2 mph and motorists traveling 10 mph above the posted speed limit increased by approximately 60%, compared to the same period in 2019. Drivers began to slow down after the city implemented traffic calming measures at the end of Apr. Now, motorists traveling 10 mph above the posted speed limit is about the same as in 2019.
According to the report, traffic collisions have remained in line with the changes in traffic volume, which decreased by 65% compared to the same period in 2019, and increasing as the order was relaxed. Collisions are still about 25% below 2019 numbers. Once the safer-at-home order was implemented, pedestrian and bicycle collisions decreased by about 90% compared to 2019, and still remain below 2019 numbers.