Full Notification

The Fremont Police Department has been awarded a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) for a year-long program of special enforcement and public awareness efforts to prevent traffic related deaths and injuries 
“Years of research tell us that enforcement and education work best jointly to combat unsafe driving,” said OTS Director Rhonda Craft.  “This grant brings both tactics together, with the Office of Traffic Safety and the Fremont Police Department working in concert to help keep the streets and highways safe across Fremont and the state.” 
Bicycle and pedestrian safety enforcement
Have you ever thought about your own actions as a pedestrian when you cross the street? Do you stare at your phone or get lost in the music you are listening to on your headphones? Do you cross outside of the marked crossing areas? Do you start to dash across a crosswalk even when the red hand signal is blinking? We’ve all probably been guilty of all or some of these actions. Moving forward, would you change your ways if we told you that as a pedestrian you could be found at-fault in a traffic collision, even if you are the one being struck and injured by a vehicle?
The Fremont Police Department is trying to bring awareness to pedestrian and bicycle safety.  Believe it or not, the driver has not always been determined to be at-fault in these crashes. Sometimes the primary cause of the more severe crashes has been determined to be pedestrians or cyclist entering the roadway abruptly, outside of a crosswalk, or trying to cross when the light is already red.
The Police Department is asking pedestrians, cyclists and drivers to keep an eye out for yourselves and others. Here are some tips to think about before you decide to take a ride for lunch, a walk before or after dinner, or as you take the dog for a trot around the neighborhood or drop off or pick up the kids from school.
*Be Aware: It only takes a few seconds to cross the street, surely you can complete the task before checking that next e-mail, text message, Tweet, SnapChat video, or Instagram photo.
*You see them, but do they see you?: Don’t assume that the driver at the stop sign sees you – make eye contact, nod your head, wave your hand – do something to acknowledge that you are aware of each other. As a bicycle rider you are sometimes in a blind spot, do your best to avoid hanging out there.
*Brighter is better: Are you into exercising at night? Good for you - just don’t do it while wearing dark-color clothing. Make yourself visible, wear bright colors and consider using reflective vests or accessories. It also helps to jog with a light, or in an area that is well-lit. Bicyclists have a dedicated lane -- but they are allowed to ride in normal lanes of traffic make sure and wear bright clothing to be seen.
*Be predictable and patient: Need to cross the street? Make it obvious. Don’t dart into traffic or from in between parked or stopped cars. Use the street corners of the intersection to start your jaunt, and never assume you’ve got the right of way. It’s better to be second and safe than first and frantic.
California adopted the Move Over Law to share the road requiring motorist to pass bike riders with at least a 3 foot cushion. Support community efforts in your community, be involved in bicycle safety, whether while riding a bike, or driving a vehicle.
Sharing the road is a two-way street, pun-intended, and the burden of safety not only lies with the automobile drivers but also with the bicycle
Keeping the community safe is a multi-faceted task that we at the Fremont Police Department take seriously and we hope that you, whether it is as a walker, driver of a four-wheel vehicle or a two-wheeled one, will as well. Do your part. Share the road. Stay Safe, Fremont.
For more information on Bicycle Safety, please visit www.NHTSA.gov/bicycle-safety
Feel free to email your traffic questions to [email protected] and interact with the Police Department on Twitter @Fremont PD or on Facebook.com/Fremontpolicedepartment.