In October, a tragic incident unfolded in Duarte, resulting in the loss of a resident's life at the intersection of Huntington Drive and Crestfield Drive. This unfortunate event sheds light on a troubling statewide trend in California, where pedestrian fatalities and serious injuries are on the rise. As more people opt to walk for various reasons, including commuting, going to school, shopping, or simply enjoying fresh air and exercise, it's disheartening to witness the escalating risks associated with pedestrian activities.
In an age when we actively encourage walking as a healthy, positive, and community-building alternative to driving, it's disconcerting to see that pedestrian safety is becoming an increasingly pressing concern. The Duarte Public Safety Office, in partnership with the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department, is dedicated to raising awareness among Duarte residents regarding the hazards that pedestrians face on our streets. Our goal is to reduce the number of injuries and fatalities linked to pedestrian incidents, ultimately creating a safer environment for everyone.
Safety tips for pedestrians:
- Make yourself visible: wear bright-colored clothes and carry a flashlight if you are walking at night.
- Avoid dangerous behaviors: always walk on the sidewalk (no jaywalking), stay sober, and make eye contact with drivers – don’t assume the driver can see you.
- Stay off your phones; talking and especially texting distract you from paying attention to your surroundings.
- Look before you step: cross streets at marked crosswalks/intersections, obey traffic signals, and watch for turning vehicles.
- Look left-right-left before crossing a street.
Safety tips for drivers:
- Don’t speed, follow the speed limit, and never use your phone; always be cautious of your surroundings.
- Never drive under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.
- Look out for pedestrians, especially in hard-to-see conditions such as at night or in bad weather.
- Pedestrians have the right of way at any crosswalk or intersection, so yield and be prepared to stop.
- Stop at the crosswalk stop line to give drivers in other lanes an opportunity to see and yield to pedestrians.
- Be cautious when backing up – pedestrians, especially young children, can move across your path.
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