Staff Reports

Eastvale – Speeding has been on ongoing issue in our area which has resulted in several fatal traffic collisions. Drivers, passengers, and pedestrians have been harmed or killed due to traffic collisions in the surrounding area. The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department reported four fatal traffic collisions in October alone, all in Jurupa Valley and Eastvale.

October is National Pedestrian Safety Month and National Teen Driver Safety Week is October 20-26, so the Sheriff’s Department has shared several news releases regarding vehicle and pedestrian safety.

“According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 7,522 pedestrians were killed in traffic crashes across the United States in 2022,” stated a Riverside County Sheriff’s Department news release. “In California alone, 1,158 pedestrians were struck and killed on California roads in 2022, accounting for 26 percent of all traffic-related fatalities in the state. The high number of pedestrians injured and killed on our roads highlights the urgent need for increased awareness and safety measures for people walking.”

“Every step we take towards greater pedestrian safety is a step towards saving lives,” Sergeant Andrew Sullivan said. “We want to remind everyone that safety begins with you, whether you’re behind the wheel or on foot. Small actions, like slowing down, putting away distractions and yielding at crosswalks, can make a life-saving difference.”

This month, deputies assigned to the Jurupa Valley Sheriff’s Station will be focused on the most dangerous driving behaviors which put the safety of pedestrians at risk. These violations include speeding, making illegal turns, failing to yield and running stops signs and signals.

In addition to National Pedestrian Safety Month, National Teen Driver Safety Week is October 20-26.

“Car crashes are a leading cause of death for teens (15-18 years old) in the United States,” stated a Sheriff’s Department news release. “According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were 2,514 people killed in crashes involving a teen driver in 2022. In California, young drivers were involved in nearly 12% of all fatal crashes in 2022 despite accounting for only 5% of all licensed drivers in the U.S.”

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office encourages parents and caregivers to talk with their teens about the dangers of risky driving behaviors like speeding, texting while driving, or not wearing a seatbelt, the importance of following the rules of the road, and the serious dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

“Parents and caregivers play a huge part in keeping teens safe on the road,” Community Service Officer Sean Pearson said. “Having these meaningful conversations, setting rules, and being a role model for safe driving can help teens make better choices when they’re driving.”

Here are safe driving and walking tips for both you and your teen:

Drivers:

• Pay attention to the speed limits in the area and do not speed
• Wear a seatbelt at all times
• Slow down at intersections. Be prepared to stop for pedestrians at marked and unmarked crosswalks.
• Avoid blocking crosswalks while waiting to make a right-hand turn.
• Never drive impaired, under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or prescription drugs
• Stay off your phone while driving and avoid any distractions
• Look both ways before driving through an intersection

Pedestrians:

• Be predictable. Use signalized crosswalks where drivers may anticipate foot traffic.
• Watch for approaching vehicles and practice due care crossing the street. At 30 mph, a driver needs at least 90 feet to stop.
• Make it easier for drivers to see you at night – consider wearing bright colors, reflective material, or use a flashlight when practical.
• Be careful crossing streets or entering crosswalks at night or on busier streets with higher speed limits.

Here are a few tips for parents provided by the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office, Jurupa Valley Station:

• Provisional Driver’s License: Learn about California’s provisional licensing law, which places restrictions on passengers and driving at night during the first year they have a license.
• Lead by example: Have driving sessions with your teen. Tell, but also show, your teen how to drive safely.
• Set ground rules: Be firm on rules such as no phone use, eliminating distractions by friends, always following the speed limit, and always buckling up. Create a parent-teen driving contract to outline specific driving guidelines.
• Sober driving: Emphasize the importance of never driving impaired or riding with someone who has been driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.