SACRAMENTO,
Calif. – A federal grant is helping the California Highway Patrol (CHP) increase
pedestrian and bicyclist safety throughout the state. The CHP was awarded $1.2
million in grant funding through the Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety,
Education, Enforcement, and Awareness Program (BESEEN) program.
“The most vulnerable roadway users are
pedestrians and bicyclists,” CHP
Commissioner Amanda Ray said. “This
grant will promote the importance of drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians
looking out for one another so that everyone can safely share the road.”
In California, nearly 20 percent of all
traffic-related deaths are pedestrian and bicycle fatalities. In 2020 and 2021 combined, 926 of the 4,651
people killed in crashes throughout CHP jurisdiction were pedestrians and bicyclists.
This grant
launches a yearlong effort to educate and enforce traffic safety laws for
drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians through September 30, 2023. Enforcement patrols will focus on areas with higher
bicyclist and pedestrian traffic and crashes. Officers will also conduct public
awareness campaigns in communities throughout the state. In addition, this grant funds
bicycle safety training and educational presentations to promote safe and
courteous traffic safety behaviors by drivers and bicyclists, as well as safety
publications, bicycle helmets, reflective gear, and other vital safety equipment.
October is National Pedestrian Safety Month with National Walk to
School Day on October 12, 2022. CHP
officers in plainclothes will work with uniformed officers to monitor
crosswalks and areas surrounding schools for motorists who fail to yield the
right-of-way or who take unsafe and illegal actions.
Funding for this program was provided by the California
Office of Traffic Safety through a grant from the National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration.
The
mission of the CHP is to provide the highest level of Safety, Service, and
Security.
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