SEPTEmbEr 16, 2011
COmmuNITY
SIgNAL TrIbuNE
9
SHPD launches ‘right of way’ safety campaign for cyclists, pedestrians and motorists The Signal Hill Police Department (SHPD) has launched a new trafficsafety campaign aimed at promoting pedestrian and bicycle safety on local roadways. According to Signal Hill Police Chief Michael Langston, the “Exercise Right...Of Way” campaign is a proactive response to improve traffic safety and avoid a tragedy. Mayor Larry Forester said safety is a concern because the city is used by many for exercise. “We have wonderful park and trail facilities in Signal Hill that draw large numbers of pedestrians, runners and bicyclists that are utilizing the hilltop area of Signal Hill for exercise,” he said. “Our goal is to ensure that everyone is safe.” According to a press release issued by SHPD, the department has received a significant amount of complaints from residents and businesses related to large groups of people jogging or hiking in the roadway and blocking the flow of traffic. “Unfortunately, some people forget that the roadways are primarily for vehicle traffic and walk or run four-deep across lanes of traffic,” said Sergeant Chris Nunley, the department’s Traffic Bureau supervisor. “In addition to that, we have seen an increase in bicyclists not following the rules of the road. Cyclists are required to follow the rules of the road just as if they were driving a vehicle, specifically with regard to stop signs.” “The ‘Exercise Right…Of Way’ campaign is a multi-phased approach to reduce these risks and ensure that our roadways are safe for everyone,” Langston said. “Our outreach efforts will include meeting with local fitness centers [and] high-school athletic
teams, and direct interaction with the public utilizing the hilltop areas. Our volunteers will be handing out trafficsafety pamphlets, and we will be utilizing various means to reach the public including electronic messaging signs on the hilltop and public-access television. While the campaign will eventually culminate with an enforcement stage, our primary goal here is to avoid a tragedy by educating as many people as possible and gaining compliance.” The Signal Hill Police Department is encouraging motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists to follow these safety tips: Cyclists • Obey all traffic laws, including stopping at red lights and stop signs and yielding to pedestrians. • Ride with motor vehicle traffic, on the right side of the road. • Maintain a straight line, ride predictably, and avoid swerving between parked cars. • Use hand signals to indicate stops, turns, and changes of direction to motorists and pedestrians. • Allow faster traffic to pass when it’s safe, and avoid needlessly blocking the road. • Pay attention to parked cars; drivers may pull out in front of you or open a door in your path. • As you approach intersections, be aware of cars behind, beside, and in front of you who may try to cross your path. “Left crosses” are the most frequent motorist-caused bike crashes; “right hooks” rank second. • When riding with others, ride single-file to allow motorists to overtake you safely.
California Avenue between Spring and Willow streets to be closed up to six weeks The City of Signal Hill has authorized the installation of a storm drain pipe under California Avenue in the vicinity of the 28th Street intersection. The construction of this proposed storm drain line will require the temporary closure of California Avenue to through traffic between Spring Street and Willow Avenue starting Monday,
Doubles (16 yd.), Bronze in Trap Team (16 yd.) • Police Officer Danielle Quinones– Gold in Co-Ed Softball • Fire Engineer Corey Girard– Silver in Surfing In addition, Fire Engineer Darren Strecker took 8th place in Motocross. For complete details of this event, visit 2011wpfg.org. ß
crosswalk. • Make yourself visible in low-light conditions and at night– wear light-colored clothing or athletic clothing with reflective patches, and carry a flashlight. • Before you cross a street, allow enough room for oncoming traffic to stop safely. “Pedestrians have the rightof-way” is not a license to cross a street wherever or whenever you want. motorists • Slow down when encountering bicyclists or pedestrians. • yield to pedestrians at intersections– whether or not there is a marked crosswalk. • Give bicyclists extra room– three feet if possible– when passing them on
the roadway. Otherwise, stay behind them until it’s safe to pass. • Allow bicyclists the appropriate right-of-way; for example, at a fourway stop or when they are turning left. • When making a left turn, be aware of the possible presence and speed of oncoming cyclists. • When parked on the side of a street, look for passing bicyclists before opening your car door. • Watch for cyclists and pedestrians before exiting a parking space or driveway. • Avoid using your car’s horn near bicyclists or pedestrians. • Don’t expect child cyclists and pedestrians to know traffic laws or to behave predictably.
HARBoR AREA FARMERS MARKETS • Thursdays in Bixby Knolls • Fridays in Downtown Long Beach
• Saturdays at the Cerritos Towne Center • Sundays at the Alamitos Bay Marina Since 1980
• Local farm-fresh produce • Food artisans
• Plants & flowers • Baked goods, honey, and more!
GOODVEG.ORG
866-GOODVEG
We gladly accept EBT food stamp cards!
Sept. 19 for up to six weeks. California Avenue will remain open to local traffic as required to maintain access to businesses located along this corridor. Through traffic will be detoured to Atlantic Avenue. For more information, call the City of Signal Hill Public Works Department at (562) 989-7351.
Lb police, fire employees take home gold, silver and bronze in 2011 games Five members of the Long Beach Police Department and six members of the Fire Department competed in the 2011 World Police & Fire Games, held this year in New york City from Aug. 26 to Sept. 5. Despite complications caused by Hurricane Irene that resulted in the cancellation of a number of events, five of the athletes came home with medals. The annual World Police & Fire Games is the second-largest multisport event in the world and draws about 15,000 police officers and firefighters representing over 70 countries. The event has been held in various countries over the years, and this year it coincided with the preparations for the 10-year anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. A “5K World Trade Center Run to Remember” and a candlelight vigil were held in remembrance of the lives lost, as well as other special events to thank the international community for their support during that time. The Games also promotes physical fitness and camaraderie among the professions, and all proceeds go to charities. The employees that participated volunteered their time and paid their own expenses, and the honorary members of the Long Beach Police Officer’s Association assisted in paying the registration fees of the police employees. The athletes that brought home medals in their events are as follows: • Police Sergeant Paul Esko– Gold in Beach Volleyball • Police Detective Ana Maria Gill– Gold in Javelin Throw, Gold in Discus, and Gold in Shotput • Police Detective David A. Jones– Gold in Skeet, Silver in Trap Team
• Wear a bicycle helmet. (California law requires helmet use for riders under age 18.) • When riding at dusk or after dark, use appropriate lights and reflective gear, both to make yourself conspicuous and to see better. Pedestrians • Walk on the sidewalk; when a sidewalk is unavailable, walk on the left-hand side of the road, facing traffic. • Obey traffic signals. When crossing the street at a traffic signal, walk only with a green light, allowing yourself enough time to cross the street before the light turns red. • Keep moving. Walk as quickly as is safely possible to the other side of the street. Never stop in the middle of the
Air Conditioned!
Back to School Thank you for your support!
Inflation Buster
Breakfast & Lunch
50% OFF
1am 7am-1 Fri n o M
regular menu
(dinner menu excluded)
Month of September
Dine In - Take out - Patio Dining