CHP pedestrian enforcement works to prevent fatalities in Bakersfield

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — California Highway Patrol officers were out teaching pedestrian safety on the streets of east Bakersfield and Oildale Friday afternoon.

On Sep. 6, officers posed as civilians crossing streets and if drivers stopped they were obeying the law, if they didn’t they were pulled over.

“The ultimate goal of this is to hopefully reduce the amount of vehicle vs. pedestrian crashes down to zero,” said Eric Scott, a CHP officer. “Then, in the ones that we unfortunately can’t stop or prevent, we want to minimize the severity of those type of crashes.”

The crackdown took place Friday morning at Niles and Webster streets in east Bakersfield and Plymouth Avenue and Roberts Lane in Oildale.

“They are a high traffic area for foot traffic,” Scott said. “As you see on this intersection, they did not only install a crosswalk but they also have the lighted crossing signals.”

Angel Serrano, a mechanic at a local body shop in Oildale, has seen his fair share of close calls.

“Maybe three weeks ago, some mom with her kid they were crossing by,” said Serrano. “The people that stopped, they stopped with good distance and stuff, but they were not looking ahead.”

Mandy Kimcas and her family were crossing at Roberts Lane and said they cross here frequently.

“They don’t stop for nothin’, they don’t even slow down,” said Kimcas. “You gotta watch and wait for the people that go by, ’cause even though it says crosswalk they don’t slow down or stop.”

Highway Patrol officers are hoping this enforcement does something to change the unsafe conditions.

“If you are out there driving, just keep your eyes open, we want everybody to get to where they gotta go,” said Scott. “Whether your driving with other motor vehicles or there are pedestrians crossing the roadway, we want everybody to get from point A to point B as safely and efficiently as possible.”

Funding for this program was provided in a grant by the Department of Traffic Safety.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KGET 17.