SACRAMENTO – The safety of pedestrians and bicyclists is the focus of a federal grant to the California Highway Patrol for the coming year, according to a CHP news release.

The California Pedestrian and Bicyclist Enforcement and Education Project grant runs from Oct. 1, 2018, through Sept. 30, 2019.

During this year-long statewide campaign, CHP officers will conduct enhanced enforcement activities and public education campaigns.

“California roadways must be safe for everyone, including those who are walking or bicycling,” CHP Commissioner Warren Stanley said. “This grant lets us channel more resources to bicycle and pedestrian safety, to help accomplish the CHP’s mission of saving lives.”

Bicycle and pedestrian fatalities account for 29 percent of all roadway fatalities in California. Data from the Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System show 1,075 bicyclists and pedestrians killed, and more than 26,095 injured on California roadways during Federal Fiscal Year 2016. This equates to nearly three bicycle and pedestrian fatalities in California each day.

The enforcement component of the grant covers all laws affecting the safety of pedestrians and bicyclists. Among the issues to be addressed are motorists failing to yield for pedestrians, illegally passing school buses, speeding, distracted driving, and California’s 3-Feet for Safety law, which requires motorists to pass bicyclists at a safe distance.

Enforcement also includes bicyclists riding in the wrong direction and failing to stop at stop signs and stop lights.

Educational efforts funded by the CPBEEP grant will promote safe behavior by pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorists. Pedestrian and bicyclist safety materials will especially emphasize the safety of children and the elderly. The education component also includes intensive training on bicycle and pedestrian traffic safety for officers.

Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.