The Tiburon Police Department is urging drivers and pedestrians to slow down and stay alert during September, California's Pedestrian Safety Month.

Statewide, 1,090 people were struck and killed while walking on California roads in 2024, the department said in a statement posted Thursday, Sept. 10. That figure accounted for 28% of all California traffic fatalities in 2024.

"Drivers play a critical role in keeping people walking safe," Tiburon Police Captain Jarrod Yee said. "By staying focused and slowing down, especially in areas where there are more people walking, we can help prevent crashes and put safety first on every trip."

The campaign is funded by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS), through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Statewide data from the OTS scorecard show pedestrian fatalities fell about 8.8% between 2022 and 2023, dropping from 1,213 to 1,106.

The department noted that pedestrians lack the protections available to vehicle occupants and that higher speeds increase the severity of any crash involving a person on foot.

Tips for drivers

The Tiburon Police Department listed five reminders for motorists:

• Know and follow the speed limit.
• Slow down at intersections and be prepared to stop at marked and unmarked crosswalks.
• Never drive impaired.
• Avoid distractions, including phones, eating and deep conversations with passengers.
• Use extra caution at night and in rainy or foggy conditions.

Tips for pedestrians

The department also offered guidance for people on foot:

• Use marked crosswalks at signals when available.
• Walk on the sidewalk. If none exists, walk facing traffic.
• Look both ways and make eye contact with drivers before crossing.
• Wear bright colors, reflective material or carry a flashlight at night.
• Skip headphones and phone calls while crossing the street.

Caltrans sidewalk project on Tiburon Boulevard

Separately, Caltrans is in the construction phase of a maintenance project on State Route 131, also known as Tiburon Boulevard. Construction on curb ramps and sidewalks was scheduled to begin as early as Aug. 31, according to Enjoy Mill Valley. The project stretches roughly 1,000 feet west of the U.S. 101 interchange to the Tiburon Boulevard/Main Street intersection.

Residents can find additional traffic safety resources at gosafelyca.org. The pedestrian safety campaign runs through the end of September.