October is recognized as National Pedestrian Safety Month, and the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office in Moreno Valley is reminding drivers to take extra care to protect pedestrians.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, a pedestrian is killed every 72 minutes and one is injured every 8 minutes in traffic crashes across the United States. In California alone, 1,106 pedestrians were struck and killed in 2023.
“In Moreno Valley, walking should always be an easy and safe option for getting around,” said Sergeant Marcos Acosta. “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.”
The Sheriff’s Office highlighted that vehicle speed plays a major role in pedestrian safety. A change from 20 miles per hour to 35 miles per hour greatly increases the risk of fatality if a pedestrian is hit.
To address these risks, deputies from the Moreno Valley Sheriff’s Station will focus on enforcing laws against dangerous driving behaviors such as speeding, illegal turns, failing to yield, and running stop signs or signals.
Both drivers and pedestrians are encouraged by the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office to avoid using phones while on the road or crossing streets.
This safety initiative receives funding through a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety via the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
For further information about this program or media inquiries, contact the Media Information Bureau. Those interested in joining law enforcement can visit joinrso.org or call 1-888-Join-RSD.
