School zone safety in Marina

UPDATE 5/3/16 9:30 PM: Members of the Marina Police Department’s traffic bureau conducted a safety enforcement operation on Tuesday, targeting people who don’t follow the rules of the road. The enforcement was in school zones when kids were getting out of class. In total, 21 bicyclists, pedestrians and drivers were stopped. Three citations were issued.

In the last three years, Marina police have investigated more than 20 crashes involving pedestrians and cyclists. At least two of them have happened near elementary schools.

On any given school day, dozens of students are walking to and from school on Carmel Avenue. Marina Vista and J.C. Crumpton Elementary Schools are just blocks away from each other. Within the last year, two students have been hit while in the crosswalk at Carmel and California Avenues. The contributing factor in both cases was the rising sun, which makes it difficult for drivers to see.

“When the sun is rising, their vision is obstructed and they can’t see very well and instead of pulling over they continue to try to drive and unfortunately sometimes they end up hitting another vehicle or striking pedestrians,” Sgt. Eddie Anderson said.

On Tuesday, officers targeted drivers, making sure they weren’t speeding and stopped at stop signs and for pedestrians. One driver was pulled over because he went around a family in a crosswalk, later telling officers that he was impatient waiting for them to cross. Cyclists were also busted for not following the rules of the road or not wearing the proper safety equipment. One was riding against traffic and didn’t stop before making a left turn. Officers were also on the lookout for jaywalkers or people who just weren’t paying attention.

“If you’re distracted and you’re walking in the roadway you’re putting yourself at risk by not paying attention to your surroundings,” Anderson said.

Neighbors think the patrols are needed.

“It’s not a bad idea because with our children, you know, and these days, people are crazy,” Susan Kobayashi said.

Marina police ask parents to pull their kids aside and remind them about the dangers they could face on the roadway.

ORIGINAL POST:

Marina police focused on bike and pedestrian safety Tuesday. Officers were stationed at a busy intersection when school got out. Within the past year, two students were struck at that intersection — California and Carmel. It’s near two schools.

Over the past three years, the department has investigated 21 injury collisions involving pedestrians and bicyclists.

Across the state, Marina police say bicycle and pedestrian fatalities are rising. In 2013, 141 bicyclists were killed.

KION’s Mariana Hicks will have more on this story at 5 and 6 p.m. Tuesday night.