Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Operation Planned for May 5, 2023

The Santa Monica Police Department will conduct a traffic safety operation on May 5th from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. focused on the most dangerous driver behaviors that put the safety of people biking or walking at risk.

These violations include speeding, making illegal turns, failing to yield or provide right of way to bicyclists or pedestrians, or failing to stop for signs and signals.

“We all have places to be and not everyone gets there by car. Bicyclists and pedestrians have the same rights to the road but face even more risk without the protections vehicles have. We should all be looking out for one another.”

The Santa Monica Police Department offers steps drivers and pedestrians can take to greatly reduce the risk of getting injured or in a crash:

Pedestrians
· Be predictable. Use crosswalks, when available.
· Take notice of approaching vehicles and practice due care.
· Do not walk or run into the path of a vehicle. At 30 mph, a driver needs at least 90 feet to stop.
· Be visible. Make it easy for drivers to see you – wear light colors, reflective material and carry a flashlight, particularly at dawn, dusk or at night.
· Be extra careful crossing streets or entering crosswalks at night when it is harder to see, or when crossing busier streets with more lanes and higher speed limits.

Drivers
· Follow the speed limit and slow down at intersections. Be prepared to stop for pedestrians at marked and unmarked crosswalks.
· Avoid blocking crosswalks while waiting to make a right-hand turn.
· Never drive impaired.

Bicyclists
· Obey traffic laws, use hand signals, use lights at night (front white light and rear red reflector), and wear a helmet.
· Bicyclists must travel in the same direction of traffic and have the same requirements as any slow-moving vehicle.
· Avoid the door zone: do not ride too closely to parked cars.
· If there’s a bike lane, use it, unless making a left turn, passing, or approaching a place where a right turn is allowed.
· Yield to pedestrians. Bicyclists must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians within marked crosswalks or within unmarked crosswalks at intersections. 

Santa Monica Police Department Holding Motorcycle Safety Enforcement Operation May 5, 2023

The Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD) will have extra officers on patrol May 5, 2023 looking specifically for violation made by drivers and motorcycle riders. The top primary crash factors for motorcycles are unsafe speed, improper turning, right-of-way violations, driving under the influence and unsafe lane changes. Speeding is the most common, accounting for nearly a third of all crashes in the state.

To help protect you and your family, keep the following tips in mind while driving or riding:

Drivers

· Always check twice for motorcycles in your mirrors and blind spots.
· Use your signal when changing lanes.
· Never follow a motorcycle too closely. Always keep a safe distance.
· When at an intersection, allow enough space before turning.


Motorcyclists
· Always wear a DOT compliant helmet and protective gear.
· Consider adding reflective tape to make it easier for other drivers to see you.
· Always keep your lights on, even during the day.
· Don’t assume drivers see you: signal well in advance before changing lanes and watch for turning vehicles.
· Although lane splitting is legal, the practice is not encouraged at high speeds in free-flowing traffic.

Oscar from Hecho En Venice checks out the surf on a spring morning at the Venice Beach Pier.

LOS ANGELES (CNS) - Two lifeguard towers located on what became known as Ginger Rogers Beach, a traditional coastal haven for the LGBTQ+ community, will be painted the colors of the Progress Pride Flag under a motion approved today by the county Board of Supervisors.

Towers 17 and 18 are located on Ginger Rogers Beach, which is part of Will Rogers State Beach north of the Annenberg Community Beach House in Santa Monica. According to Supervisor Lindsey Horvath's office, the stretch of beach became a popular destination for gay men as far back as the 1940s, and it was soon dubbed Ginger Rogers Beach in honor of the screen legend. The location evolved into a focal point of political activism, according to Horvath's office, ranging from fundraisers for AIDS victims to petition drives opposing the Vietnam War.

Under the motion approved by the board Tuesday, the two lifeguard towers will be painted in the Progress Pride Flag colors and formally unveiled on June 17 as part of Pride Month celebrations. According to Horvath, the painted lifeguard towers will be accompanied by educational signs that will outline the history of the beach.

``Pride Month is about celebrating and uplifting the LGBTQ+ community honoring those who came before us, empowering all in the struggle today, and educating the generations that will lead after us,'' Horvath said in a statement. ``Amidst a despicable rise in anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric and policy-making throughout the country, we have an important opportunity to honor the history of Ginger Rogers Beach, which has long been a safe space for LGBTQ+ people.

``As an advocate and ally, I look forward to celebrating the legacy of Ginger Rogers Beach, and the generations of LGBTQ+ Angelenos who have lived out and proud -- this June and all year long.''

A dead body was discovered in the gazebo at Crescent Park above the beach at Santa Monica. It appears to be one of the homeless people who lived in the park area, his belongings werespread out all over the gazebo.

Man drives onto sand and gets his car stuck at Topanga Beach.

An Ocean Water Quality Rain Advisory has been declared for all Los Angeles County beaches. The advisory will be in effect at least until 12:00 pm, Thursday, May 4, 2023 (72 hours after significant rainfall). Beach users should avoid water contact for at least 72 hours after significant rainfall. This advisory may be extended depending on further rainfall.

A rain advisory is issued when there is significant rainfall that may cause bacteria levels in ocean waters to increase. Bacteria levels can increase significantly during and after rainstorms, as contaminants within the runoff enters the ocean. Bacteria levels may remain elevated up to 3 days depending upon the intensity of the rain and the volume of runoff. Elevated bacteria levels in ocean water may cause illness, especially in children and the elderly. The Department of Public Health recommends that beach users avoid contact with ocean water for a period of 3 days after significant rainfall, especially near flowing storm drains, creeks and rivers.



An ocean water quality rain advisory is declared when there is significant rainfall that may cause run-off from inland to flow to the ocean. Contamination from run-off can cause increased bacterial levels in ocean water especially near storm drains, creeks, and other waterways. Water contact during a rain advisory may cause illness especially in children, the elderly and susceptible people. Bacteria levels may take 72 hours or more to return to normal after heavy rainfall.

At all times, beach users are cautioned to avoid water contact near flowing creeks and storm drains.

The public is notified when a site has exceeded State Standards for bacteria in ocean water on this website, by telephone hotline, and by signs posted at the impacted beaches.

Use the map below to obtain the current water quality status of your favorite beach location. Use your mouse wheel to zoom into a particular location. Click on the marker to identify the sampling location. This map is updated as conditions change.




For more info, Click Here

The crash occurred at 3:10 p.m. in the 1000 block of PCH, near the California Incline, Santa Monica police Lt. Erika Aklufi told City News Service.

A Kia SUV with six adults and two small children was northbound on PCH and attempting to turn left into Beach Lot 4 North when it was T-boned by a southbound Toyota Camry with two adults. The impact was on the Kia's passenger-side rear door.

All 10 occupants of both vehicles were taken to UCLA Medical Center in Westwood. One passenger in the back of the Kia had suffered a major leg injury and died at the hospital, she said. The rest of the injuries were "mostly minor.'' There was no description of the victim who died.