October is recognized as National Pedestrian Safety Month, and the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office, Jurupa Valley Station, is urging drivers to be more cautious to help protect pedestrians in Eastvale, Jurupa Valley, and Norco.
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 nationwide. In California alone, 1,106 pedestrians were struck and killed in 2023.
“In Eastvale, Jurupa Valley and Norco, walking should always be an easy and safe option for getting around,” said Sergeant Ignacio Robles. “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 has a significant impact on pedestrian safety. Even a difference of just 15 miles per hour—from 20 MPH to 35 MPH—can greatly increase the risk of fatality if a pedestrian is struck.
Deputies from the Jurupa Valley Station will focus enforcement efforts on driver behaviors that most endanger pedestrians. These include speeding, making illegal turns, failing to yield the right-of-way, and running stop signs or signals.
Funding for this safety initiative comes from a grant provided by the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
For additional information or media inquiries about this campaign or related incidents, contact the Media Information Bureau. Those interested in careers with the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office can apply at joinrso.org or call 1-888-Join-RSD.
