By Lookout Staff

April 8, 2026 -- The Santa Monica Police Department will conduct traffic safety operations on Wednesday and Thursday this week as part of an enhanced effort to protect bicyclists and pedestrians.

Both operations will take place from 2 to 8 p.m. at locations where collisions involving those walking and biking are prevalent, police officials said.

Traffic officers will be focused on violations such as speeding, making illegal turns, failing to yield or provide right of way to bicyclists or pedestrians, or failing to stop for signs and signals.

There has been an increased focus on traffic enforcement after the City Council made street safety a top priority, with six operations taking place during a two-week period.

During April -- which is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month -- SMPD also will be "actively looking" for drivers who violate the State’s hands-free cell phone law.

"Under current law, drivers are not allowed to hold a phone or other electronic device while operating a vehicle, even when stopped at a red light," police officials noted. "This includes talking, texting, or using an app."

The marked increase in enforcement operations comes after the City Council in January 2025 began taking steps "to prioritize the deterrence of dangerous driving within Santa Monica that poses an immediate threat to the safety of residents."

As part of the effort, the Council asked the Police Department to hold more "high-visibility enforcement operations against dangerous driving."

Last year, there were 52 Fatal and Severe Injury (FSI) crashes in Santa Monica, down from a record high of 62 in 2024 but still the second-highest number recorded over the past 15 years.

The FSI crashes last year resulted in three deaths, all of them pedestrians, marking a drop from the 3 pedestrians and 2 bicyclists killed in 2024, according to data provided by the City ("Fatal, Severe Injury Crashes Fall," March 6, 2026).

Police officials remind bicyclists that they must follow similar traffic laws as motorists, must travel in the same direction of traffic and have the same requirements as any slow moving vehicle.

They should also avoid riding too close to parked cars and use available bike lanes unless making a left turn, passing or approaching a place where a right turn is allowed.

Bicyclists must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians within marked crosswalks or within unmarked crosswalks at intersections.

Pedestrians should cross the street only in marked crosswalks or at corners, look for cars backing up and avoid walking between parked cars, police said.

They also should make eye contact with drivers and never assume a driver sees them. Pedestrians also should wear bright clothing during the day and use a flashlight when walking at night.

Meanwhile, drivers must wait for pedestrians to cross the street, be courteous and patient and stay off the phone.

They also should look for pedestrians when backing up, turning at intersections or entering or exiting shopping centers.

Funding for the traffic safety program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.