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OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT
NEWS RELEASE
| INCIDENT: | School Traffic Safety |
| DATE: | October 24, 2019 |
| PREPARED BY: | Ricardo Vazquez, Traffic Sergeant |
| CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO: | Ricardo Vazquez, Traffic Sergeant (805) 385-7847 |
DETAILS:
On October 24, 2019, at approximately 7:50 a.m., officers from the Oxnard Police Department and EMS personnel responded to a pedestrian-involved traffic collision that occurred at the intersection of San Mateo Place and Earhart Court. Officers determined that a Lemonwood School student and his grandmother were in a marked crosswalk when they were struck by the vehicle.
Officers determined the vehicle was traveling at a slow speed when the student darted away from his grandmother directly into the path of the vehicle. Both pedestrians were transported to a local hospital with minor injuries.
At the time of the collision, there was a school crossing guard located at the intersection of San Mateo Place and Dupont Street, which is located approximately 260 feet west of where the collision occurred. Chief Whitney stated, “There are five intersections around Lemonwood School with crosswalks. Cities generally do not have the resources to staff crossing guards at every intersection around every school. We all have a shared responsibility as drivers, pedestrians, and parents to take extra precautions around our schools to protect our kids.”
The Oxnard Police Department reminds motorists to drive with extra care during the morning rush hours. During the month of October, there have been 50 traffic collisions that have occurred between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. In an effort to promote traffic safety near our schools, the Oxnard Police Department offers the following tips for drivers and pedestrians:
Pedestrians
- Cross the street at crosswalks, preferably with a stop sign, signal, or school crossing guard. Do not cross the street midblock (no jaywalking).
- Make eye contact with drivers and ensure all vehicles come to a stop prior to entering the roadway.
- Avoid entering the roadway between parked vehicles.
- Do not use your cell phone or wear earbuds while walking.
Drivers
- Recognize drop-off and pick-up times are more congested.
- Avoid distractions while driving (cell phone, eating, grooming).
- Follow the speed limit.
- If the sun is impairing your vision, slow down to a safer speed.
- Yield to pedestrians at marked and unmarked crosswalks.
- Make sure the path is clear before making a turn at an intersection.
The Oxnard Police Department continually looks to improve safety for all motorists and pedestrians. Recent efforts to improve school bicycle and pedestrian safety include multiple enforcement details focused on school zone safety. These enforcement efforts included an emphasis on parking violations, drop-off and pick-up, pedestrian safety, and unsafe speed. In addition to the enforcement efforts, the Traffic Unit provides regular education to our community on bicycle and pedestrian safety.
The Oxnard Police Department will continue to work closely with the school districts and City’s Traffic Engineer to evaluate and improve traffic safety near our schools. In 2017, the Police Department completed traffic safety assessments for each school in our City. We have committed to updating those assessments in the coming months.
To find out more information about traffic safety including impaired driving, distracted driving and pedestrian and bicycle safety, visit: gosafelyca.org.
DATE / TIME PREPARED: October 24, 2019 / 6:00 p.m.