|
PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION
In 1996, the City of Alhambra,
California reported 779 traffic crashes resulting in injuries to 42
bicyclists, injuries to pedestrians involved in 49 of the traffic crashes,
and four pedestrian fatalities. In 1997, 869 traffic crashes resulted
in injuries to 35 bicyclists, injuries to pedestrians involved in 41
of the crashes, and one pedestrian fatality.
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
The Pedestrian
and Bicycle Safety Program was developed in 1998 to reduce traffic-related
injuries and fatalities involving pedestrians and bicyclists. Objectives
of the program were to:
- Reduce the
number of pedestrian fatalities and injuries involving children under
the age of 15 by 10 percent during calendar year 1998, and by an additional
10 percent during calendar year 1999
- Reduce the
number of pedestrian fatalities and injuries involving adults over
65 years old by 10 percent during calendar year 1998, and by an additional
10 percent during calendar year 1999
- Reduce the
number of bicyclist fatalities and injuries involving children under
the age of 15 by 10 percent during calendar years 1998 and 1999
- Reduce crash-related
fatalities and injuries involving alcohol by 10 percent during calendar
year 1998, and by an additional 10 percent during calendar year 1999
STRATEGIES AND ACTIVITIES
Historically,
the Alhambra Police Department used selective enforcement techniques
in an effort to reduce crash-related injuries and fatalities. When these
techniques failed to meet the intended goals, officers turned to a more
pro-active approach to prevention which included the use of multi-cultural
public education, significant distribution of media information, delivery
of educational programs to the local elementary schools, and the use
of highly visible enforcement activities. Some of these pro-active approaches
included the following activities:
- Preparing
operations and procedures manuals for pedestrian and bicyclist safety
programs
- Developing
partnerships with community leaders and with neighboring police departments
- Developing
traffic safety educational curricula
- Developing
a comprehensive traffic safety media kit for use in presentations
- Implementing
an aggressive series of traffic safety checkpoints and other programs
- Developing
and distributing a multi-language training and information flyer
- Developing
a positive rapport with local media
|
