DOWNEY – Downey Police are stepping up enforcement of bicycle and pedestrian traffic safety laws this month. 

“The department has mapped out locations over the past three (3) years where pedestrian and bike collisions have occurred along, with the violations that led to those crashes,” the department said in a statement. “Extra officers will be on duty patrolling areas where bike and pedestrian traffic and crashes occur in an effort to lower deaths and injuries.

“Officers will be looking for violations made by drivers, bike riders and pedestrians alike that can lead to life changing injuries. Special attention will be directed toward drivers speeding, making illegal turns, failing to stop for signs and signals, failing to yield to pedestrians in cross walks or any other dangerous violation.

“Additionally, enforcement will be taken for observed violations when pedestrians cross the street illegally or fail to yield to drivers who have the right of way. Bike riders will be stopped and citations issued when they fail to follow the same traffic laws that apply to motorists.”