Crime & Safety

San Mateo Police Offer Pedestrian Safety Tips Following Fatality

Saturday morning's crash that killed a pedestrian on El Camino Real has prompted San Mateo police to offer pedestrian safety tips.

The San Mateo Police Department is reminding pedestrians of safety tips after the death of a 66-year-old woman Saturday morning as she crossed El Camino Real.

The crash happened at about 6:15 a.m. in the area of 25th Avenue and El Camino Real, San Mateo Police Sgt. Dave Norris said.

The pedestrian, identified by the San Mateo County coroner's office as Shama Ayyad, of San Mateo, was struck while crossing El Camino Real east in a crosswalk at 25th Avenue. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

SMPD Traffic Officers have held three public meetings over the summer to educate the public, and are continuing to highlight the potential dangers to pedestrians in traffic on El Camino Real.

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Mid-county cities have experienced serious injury accidents and fatalities among the senior population, Norris said,  and the particular danger that this type of accident poses to the aging community is of great concern to the Police Department.

SMPD is partnered with neighboring police departments in Burlingame, Foster City, and Hillsborough in prioritizing Senior Pedestrian Safety as part of a countywide Saturated Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP).

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Below are some proactive measures that pedestrians can take to maximize their safe approach when walking in or near traffic:

PEDESTRIAN SAFETY TIPS -

  • Stop and look both ways before entering a street, even from a driveway or parking lot. Look left, right and left again before entering the street. Make eye contact and make sure the driver sees you before crossing in front of a car.
  • Follow all signs and signals.
  • Start walking only when “Walk” or white pedestrian is showing. 
  • If the red hand is flashing, you may continue to cross, but don’t start.
  • Do not start walking against a “Don’t Walk” symbol (VC21456 (b)) or if the red hand is steady. 
  • Walk on the sidewalk. If there is no sidewalk, walk facing traffic. 
  • Don’t walk in the bike lane if there is sidewalk available. (VC21966) 
  • The safest place to cross is at a corner, with or without a crosswalk. (VC21954 (a)) 
  • Crossing mid-block where drivers are not expecting to see you is the most common cause of pedestrian injury. 
  • Pedestrians do not automatically have the right of way, even when there is a crosswalk. 
  • Pedestrians must give cars enough time to stop before entering the street. (VC21950(b)) 

CONTACT SMPD’s TRAFFIC BUREAU
For Traffic Related inquiries or Parking Issues - 
SMPD Traffic Bureau (650) 522-7740 
SMPD Abandoned Vehicle Hotline (650) 522-7766 


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