Santa Cruz Police Department Receives Traffic Education and Enforcement Grant

The Santa Cruz Police Department has been awarded a $110,000 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) for a year-long enforcement and public awareness program. The traffic safety program is intended to educate the public on safe roadway habits and deter people from violating traffic laws or practicing other unsafe behaviors that lead to injuries and fatalities.

“Santa Cruz continues to work towards improving our roadways for all users, and traffic enforcement is a key tool in achieving this. With the OTS grant, the department will focus on school zones surrounding bell times, strategic enforcement at locations with a history of collisions, and nighttime enforcement during weekends targeting driving under the influence.”-Santa Cruz Police Chief Andrew Mills

The grant from OTS will fund various education and enforcement activities for the 2019 federal fiscal year (Oct. 1, 2018 to Sept. 30, 2019):

· DUI saturation patrols to take suspected alcohol/drug-impaired drivers – and those unlicensed or with a revoked/suspended license – off the road.

· Patrols at intersections with increased incidents of pedestrian and bike collisions.

· Speeding, red light and stop sign enforcement.

· Compilation of DUI “Hot Sheets” identifying repeat DUI offenders

· Specialized DUI and drugged driving training to identify and apprehend suspected impaired drivers.

In 2016, 3,623 people were killed in crashes across the state, a 7 percent increase from 2015, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Particularly alarming is the rise in pedestrian deaths, with 867 pedestrians killed on California roadways in 2016, a nearly 33 percent increase from 2012. Along with the growing dangers of distracting technologies like phones and drug-impaired driving, this grant funding will provide opportunities to combat these dangerous and illegal behaviors.

“Almost all crashes are preventable,” OTS director Rhonda Craft said. “Education and enforcement go hand in hand helping change behaviors that cause devastating crashes.”

Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Street Smarts Back-to-School Traffic Safety Blast on Aug. 4 Offers Games, Prizes, Bike Rodeo and Raffle

The City of Santa Cruz welcomes drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians of all ages to Street Smarts Back-to-School Traffic Safety Blast from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Aug. 4, at Laurel Park, 301 Center St. The event features 12 traffic safety booths with fun-filled activities that underscore safe rules of the road plus one free raffle ticket per person for 25 prizes including new bike, helmets and reflective gear.

Young and old can experience the impairment caused by texting while driving and cycling through Impact Teen Drivers’ “intexticated” goggle-walk and AT&T’s It Can Wait interactive simulator.

Ecology Action will lead youth on a bike obstacle course that teaches best safety practices. They will offer bike helmet fittings at their table along with pedestrian and bike safety activity sheets.

The Santa Cruz Police Department’s booth will feature Santa Cruz City Schools Crossing Guard Jerry Cacace and Traffic Sgt. Scott Garner to answer questions as well as a traffic safety wheel with prizes. Current eBikes is offering free bike safety check-ups and Bike Santa Cruz County will provide resources to make local bicycling better.

Other booths with family activities include the California Highway Patrol, Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission and AAA. For adults, the JUMP bike program will offer Bike Share test rides and information, and Santa Cruz Neighbors will collect input on neighborhood traffic issues.

The City’s Go Santa Cruz initiative will be represented by Public Works staff who can discuss Safe Routes to School and active transportation projects. The Street Smarts booth will provide traffic safety activity sheets and collect stamped passports to enter the raffle with winners to be announced at 11:30 a.m.

The City of Santa Cruz is grateful to the community partners who are hosting stations and providing prizes noted above, as well as to local vendors Cycle Works, Pacific Ave Cycles and Target for their raffle donations.

Street Smarts is a City of Santa Cruz traffic safety campaign with mission to reduce the number of traffic-related crashes and injuries in Santa Cruz. Year one of the campaign is funded in part by AT&T/It Can Wait, AAA Northern California, Nevada & Utah, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and Kaiser Permanente, with media sponsors KION/Telemundo, Good Times, KSCO and Santa Cruz Metro. More information is available at www.cityofsantacruz.com/StreetSmarts.

Calling All Drivers, Bicyclists and Pedestrians! CELEBRATE STREET SMARTS WEDS, 9/13, 3-6 PM AT KP ARENA

Join Chief Mills and Mayor Chase plus Santa Cruz Warriors mascot Mav’Riks, UCSC's Sammy the Slug and CHP’s Chipmunk Chipper who will lead young and old in activities that underscore safe rules of the road. There will be 15 booths with PD motorcycle for kids to sit on, interactive games, free valet bike parking, bike safety rodeo plus one free raffle ticket per person for prizes including Southwest round-trip air tickets, free car service, new bikes, walking shoes, reflective gear, and more.

 www.cityofsantacruz.com/StreetSmarts

Santa Cruz Police Back To School Reminders And Support City of Santa Cruz Street Smarts Traffic Safety Campaign

The Santa Cruz Police Department wants to remind the community that Santa Cruz City Schools will be back in session this week. Chief Andy Mills, as well as commanders, will be out at our local elementary schools greeting the children as they arrive on the first day of school. As part of our commitment to the public’s safety the Santa Cruz Police Department will be conducting an education and enforcement campaign, which is aimed at school zones around the City of Santa Cruz.

SCPD Traffic Units will be looking for drivers that are using cell phones, speeding in school zones, illegally passing school buses, failing to yield at crosswalks, and any other violation that may endanger school children on their way to and from school. The focus is on increasing awareness of ‘distracted driving’ and pedestrian safety. The enforcement will be conducted mainly, but not limited to 7:15 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. hour when children are on their way to school.

“Our number one priority is the safety of our community, including students, parents and school staff,” Chief Mills said. “The new school year is a busy time for families and increases traffic congestion on the roadways. It is important that everyone slow down.” Follow these safety tips to ensure a safe transition back to school.
Back to School Safety Tips for Motorist
• Drivers are encouraged to leave earlier than usual to accommodate increased commute time
• Observe posted speed limits, especially 25 MPH school speed zones
• Watch for crossing guards around most elementary schools who will be stopping traffic so children can safely cross the street
• When dropping off children, please do so in the designated school drop off areas
• Above all, drivers are encouraged to remain patient during any travel delays and remember the goal is for everyone to arrive at their destination safely!

Back to School Safety Tips for Pedestrians
• Never walk while texting. If you need to send a text, move out of the way of others and stop on the sidewalk.
• Always walk on the sidewalk. If there is no sidewalk and you have to walk in the road, always walk FACING traffic.
• Cross only at corners or marked crosswalks.
• Stop at the curb, or the edge of the road.
• Walk in groups, there is safety in numbers. Groups are more likely to be seen by drivers.
• Before crossing the street, stop and look left, then right, then left again. When vehicles are stopped, make eye contact with the driver to ensure they know you are there before proceeding.
• If you see a car, wait until it goes by. Then look left, right and left again until traffic is clear and it is safe to cross.

“Our goal has always been and continues to be the safety of your children, pedestrians, and commuters to and from schools at the beginning and end of each day”, said Chief Mills.

City of Santa Cruz Launches Street Smarts Traffic Safety Campaign

This week the City of Santa Cruz is launching Street Smarts, a new traffic safety campaign with mission to reduce the number of traffic-related crashes and injuries in the City of Santa Cruz. The public education campaign intends to improve the roadway behavior of drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians—everyone who uses Santa Cruz roadways.

Street Smarts public education efforts target City of Santa Cruz traffic-related problems that include speeding and distracted driving. Pertinent messages that also raise awareness of our most vulnerable road users are now posted on banners in front of elementary and middle schools, on street poles, buses and City vehicles. Messages are also being delivered in print and through television and radio broadcast and social media. UC Santa Cruz will be extending Street Smarts messaging throughout their campus community.

The Santa Cruz Police Department will be delivering quarterly Street Smarts presentations open to all City residents.

Santa Cruz City Schools and Santa Cruz County Health Services Agency are partnered with Street Smarts for elementary school assemblies that will be presented in the second half of the school year. The assemblies will be created with middle school students who participate in after-school clubs. Details are available at www.cityofsantacruz.com/StreetSmarts.

Street Smarts officially begins with a family-friendly celebration on Wednesday, Sept. 13, at Kaiser Permanente Arena. Santa Cruz Warriors mascot Mav’Riks, UC Santa Cruz’s Sammy the Slug and California Highway Patrol’s Chipmunk Chipper will lead young and old in activities that underscore safe rules of the road. There will be 15 booths with interactive games, bike valet service, a bike safety obstacle course and one free raffle ticket per person for prizes including Southwest round-trip air tickets, new bikes, free car service, walking shoes, reflective gear and more.

The celebratory event kick-starts the many ways that Street Smarts will help the community contribute to a safer City of Santa Cruz in which to live, work and play.

For more information including free yard signs and bumper stickers available to all City of Santa Cruz residents in English or Spanish, please visit www.cityofsantacruz.com/StreetSmarts.

Special thank you to Street Smarts campaign sponsors: AAA Northern California, Nevada & Utah, AT&T, PG&E, Kaiser Permanente and media sponsors KION 5/46 News Channel/Telemundo 23, Good Times, KSCO and Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District.

SCPD Traffic Safety Message - If you can’t clear an intersection, don’t enter it.

Raising driver safety awareness is a priority for the Santa Cruz Police Department. By implementing traffic enforcement initiatives, offering tips on sharing the road, and participating in regional programs, the SCPD is improving safety on the streets for walkers, bicyclists and drivers.

https://youtu.be/4jS_OsEsaHU
If you can’t clear an intersection, don’t enter it.

The Santa Cruz Police Department Traffic Unit reminds drivers not to enter an intersection until you are sure you can make it all the way through. Wait behind the limit line, not in the crosswalk, and look to see if the vehicles in front of you on the other side of the intersection have left enough room for you to make it through without blocking or stopping in the crosswalk on the other side. This is a chronic problem with increased summer traffic, and our traffic guys do watch for this!

Blocking traffic in this way means that you have entered an intersection when cars on the other side are preventing you from making it all the way through. Per California Vehicle Code section 22526, this is illegal. If your signal light cycles to red before you can get completely through the intersection, you’re blocking cross traffic from moving forward and preventing mobility in crosswalks and bike lanes. This creates an unsafe situation and commonly results in aggressive driving behaviors by other motorists. This can lead to multiple violations such as blocking a crosswalk, failing to yield to pedestrians, bicycles or other motorists. The fine amount for a violation of 22526VC is $285.00.

School is Back in Session......Please Drive Safely and Courteously

 

Yep....It is that time again.....School is back is session and parents are left wondering where our summer went.  

 

Most elementary through high school campuses in Santa Cruz County are now in session.  In just a few weeks, UCSC will be starting classes too.  What this likely means to you is that you will experience more traffic in your morning and afternoon commutes.  This increased traffic comes in all varieties; vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians.  

 

Traffic safety and safe school commutes are a priority issue for the Santa Cruz Police Department.   Our traffic officers are dedicated to ensuring school zones safe from aggressive and unsafe driving practices.  

 

To help ensure our school commutes are safe, we will have increased presence around the school zones during the first month of school operations.  Here are a few common violations we see around the schools:

• Speeding (parents late for drop off or pickup)
• Illegal parking (parents late for drop off or pickup and not willing to walk from a distance)
• Illegal turns (parents trying to get that coveted up-close drop off/pick up location)
• Stop Sign Violations
• Not yielding to pedestrians
• Pedestrians crossing unsafely

 

It is our hope that commuters engage in safe and courteous habits to avoid experiencing an enforcement action.  Some tips to help your commute:

• Leave in plenty of time and anticipate heavier than usual traffic
• Be aware of school zones and traveled routes to school
• Be courteous and respectful to all traffic
• Be respectful to neighbors of schools avoiding parking in their driveways or parking lots without their permission

We encourage all commuters to develop safe and courteous habits and help us ensure this school year is a safe one.  If you have any questions or concerns about traffic safety in your school zone, please contact our Traffic Unit Sergeant @ (831) 420-5850. 

New Radar Trailer Hits the Streets

COMING SOON 

To a Neighborhood Near You

The Santa Cruz Police Department now has a Radar Speed Trailer.  Deputy Chief Steve Clark leveraged his friendships at a Marin County police agency that was selling the trailer and worked an amazing deal.  Other than a few minor mechanical repairs the trailer was in like-new condition.  Steve drove to Marin picked the trailer up and completed the repairs in his garage, ultimately saving the city about $12,000 over the purchase of a new trailer.   

This mobile unit can be transported to various locations in the city.  Along with enforcement, the trailer will be a big part of our program to increase driver awareness and reduce speeds.  The Traffic Unit will be responsible for deploying the trailer and developing a schedule.  Priority will be given to locations that have been the most dangerous or problematic. 

A Look at April Traffic Stats

As April comes to a close we wanted to give you a look into some traffic information. The data below is valid through Sunday the 29th. Here are some citation stats:

Speeding citations: 58
Failure to obey sign/signal: 23
Failure to stop at stop sign: 24
Wrong way/one way: 2

Here are some stats associated with traffic collisions:

42 total traffic collisions - 8 were collisions with injuries.

Each month we try to look at various stats and present them to the community - in the past we've shown bike theft stats, party/noise stats, calls and arrests downtown and more.

School is in Session - Please Drive Safely

School is now in session at most elementary through high school campuses in Santa Cruz County.  In just a few weeks, UCSC will be starting classes too.  The net effect is you will likely experience more traffic in your morning and afternoon commutes.  This increased traffic comes in all varieties; vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians.  Traffic safety and safe school commutes are a priority issue for the Santa Cruz Police Department.   Our traffic officers are dedicated to ensuring school zones safe from aggressive and unsafe driving practices.  To this end, we will have increased presence around the school zones during the first month of school operations.  Some common violations we see around the schools are:

• Speeding (parents late for drop off or pickup)
• Illegal parking (parents late for drop off or pickup and not willing to walk from a distance)
• Illegal turns (parents trying to get that coveted up-close drop off/pick up location)
• Stop Sign Violations
• Not yielding to pedestrians
• Pedestrians crossing unsafely

 It is our hope that commuters engage in safe and courteous habits to avoid experiencing an enforcement action.  Some tips to help your commute:

• Leave in plenty of time and anticipate heavier than usual traffic
• Be aware of school zones and traveled routes to school
• Be courteous and respectful to all traffic
• Be respectful to neighbors of schools avoiding parking in their driveways or parking lots without their permission

 We encourage all commuters to develop safe and courteous habits and help us ensure this school year is a safe one.  If you have any questions or concerns about traffic safety in your school zone, please contact our Traffic Unit Sergeant @ (831) 420-5850.