Full Notification

Turlock, Ca – September is Pedestrian Safety Month in California. The Turlock Police Department would like to remind drivers to slow down and be alert for people walking on our roads. By always taking extra precautions, you can help protect pedestrians and reduce the risk of crashes and injuries. Walking should always be an easy and safe option for getting around any community.

In California alone, 1,090 people were struck and killed while walking in 2024, which accounted for 28% of all traffic fatalities.

“Everyone deserves to get where they’re going safely, no matter how they choose to travel,” said Sergeant Jason Watson of the Turlock Police Department. “Drivers have an important responsibility to help keep people walking safe. By staying alert, reducing speed, and paying extra attention in areas with more foot traffic, we can help prevent collisions and make every trip safer for everyone.”

Pedestrians do not have the same protections as drivers and passengers. It’s important to slow down and follow the speed limit while driving. Speed increases increase the severity and impact to someone walking and hit in a crash.

To promote the safety of people walking, the Turlock Police Department will conduct traffic safety operations throughout September focused on dangerous driving behaviors that put pedestrians at risk. Officers will look for violations such as speeding, making illegal turns, failing to yield to pedestrians, and running stop signs or traffic signals.
The Turlock Police Department offers the following safety tips for drivers and people walking:

Drivers:

• Know the speed limit.
• Slow down at intersections. Be prepared to stop for people walking at marked and unmarked crosswalks.
• Never drive impaired.
• Avoid distractions such as using a mobile device, deep conversations with passengers or eating while driving. Keep your focus on the road.
• Be extra cautious at night or when driving conditions are less than optimal such as in rainy or foggy weather.

Pedestrians

• When available, use marked crosswalks at signals where drivers anticipate foot traffic.
• Always walk on the sidewalk. If there is no sidewalk, walk facing traffic.
• Look both ways and make eye contact with drivers before crossing the street.
• Be visible at night – consider wearing bright colors, reflective material or using a flashlight.
• Don’t wear headphones or talk on the phone while crossing the street.

Visit www.gosafelyca.org for more traffic safety information.
Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The Turlock Police Department is an active participant in the Crime Stoppers Program.  Callers can leave an anonymous tip by calling Crime Stoppers at (209) 521-4636 or (866) 602-7463 and you may be eligible for a cash reward. You can also leave an anonymous tip online at www.stancrimetips.org or by texting “StanCS” to 738447.  The P3 app is also available for download for Apple and Android devices.
 
To receive more detailed, up-to-date information directly from the Turlock Police Department via e-mail or text message, register for "Nixle" alerts at www.Nixle.com or more directly at https://local.nixle.com/register/.

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This information is being released by Turlock Police Department Public Affairs Analyst Dominique Roton.

Any media requests should contact:
Public Affairs Analyst Dominique Roton
Turlock Police Department
Office phone – (209) 656-3148
Email – [email protected]