Full Notification

The Goleta Police Department cited 24 drivers for not yielding to pedestrians today at three different locations in the City of Goleta.  On May 18, 2016, the Goleta Traffic Unit conducted a pedestrian crosswalk enforcement operation using a plainclothes deputy who would walk across the crosswalk.  Uniformed motorcycle deputies then watched for motorists who did not yield the right-of-way to the pedestrian in the crosswalk.  The enforcement was conducted between 1:30 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. to target the afternoon traffic.

The selection of the locations for this enforcement was not random, but was based on the volume of vehicle traffic, volume of pedestrian traffic and citizen complaints. All three locations have marked crosswalks, but they are not controlled by traffic signals. The locations were: Calle Real at Kingston Avenue, Hollister Avenue at Chapel Street, and Hollister Avenue and Orange Avenue. 

“Public safety is a priority in Goleta.  By using enforcement operations, we can continue to educate the public on safe driving techniques.  Our police department has done an outstanding job in keeping our neighborhoods safe.” said Vyto Adomaitis, Public Safety Director for the City of Goleta.

Police hope that by conducting and publicizing these operations on a regular basis, motorists will be more attentive and look for pedestrians.  “Thankfully, the majority of the motorists observed during this operation properly and safely yielded to the pedestrian in the crosswalk”, said Sgt. William Henebry, the Goleta Traffic Unit supervisor.

Deputies focused on two specific vehicle code infractions.  The first requires drivers to yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within any marked crosswalk or within any unmarked crosswalk at an intersection.  The fine for this violation can be up to $175.

The second law prohibits vehicles from passing a vehicle which has stopped to allow a pedestrian to cross the street.  This offense is especially dangerous because pedestrians are all too often lulled into a false sense of security when a vehicle stops for them.  The fine for this violation is approximately $400. 

Police say that this afternoon’s operation is part of the continuing effort to improve traffic safety in Goleta.  Additional crosswalk enforcement operations will be conducted in the future.

The City of Goleta contracts with the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office for police services.

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