The Sacramento Police Department will be conducting its first crosswalk safety operation of the year.

On Thursday, May 5, 2011, traffic officers will be conducting crosswalk operations at various locations throughout the City. The purpose of the operation is to increase driver and pedestrian awareness of crosswalk violations and right-of-way laws.

In 2010, there were 158 reported vehicle accidents involving pedestrians in the City of Sacramento. Ten of these accidents resulted in fatalities. This is an increase of 11 percent from the previous year. In the most recent rankings from the Office of Traffic Safety, Sacramento ranks #1 in the State in alcohol related accidents and #2 for fatal and injury accidents.

The goal of these operations is to educate the public and to reduce the number of accidents between vehicles and pedestrians.