October is recognized as National Pedestrian Safety Month, and the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office – San Jacinto Station is reminding drivers to take steps 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 nationwide. In California alone, 1,106 pedestrians were struck and killed in 2023.
Lieutenant James Roy of the San Jacinto Station stated, “In San Jacinto walking should always be an easy and safe option for getting around. 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 noted that vehicle speed has a significant impact on pedestrian safety. A difference of just 15 miles per hour—from 20 MPH to 35 MPH—can greatly increase the risk that a pedestrian will be killed if hit by a vehicle.
Funding for this safety program comes from a grant provided by the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
For media inquiries regarding this incident please contact the Media Information Bureau.
If you are interested in a career with us, please apply at joinrso.org or call 1-888-Join-RSD
