Every Step. Every Ride. Every Life Matters.:
Salinas & South County Mayors Unite for
Pedestrian & Bicyclist Safety
Salinas & South Monterey County, CA – The rising number of pedestrian and bicyclist accidents in recent months is an immediate concern. Salinas and South Monterey County mayors are uniting to urge residents to slow down and stay alert when on the road, whether you are a driver, pedestrian or bicyclist. Too many of our community members have been hurt or have lost their lives as a result of these incidents, and one incident is one too many.
“The number of incidents involving pedestrians and vehicles in Salinas and across the County is alarming,” says Salinas Mayor Dennis Donohue. “Safety on our streets is more than a city priority; it’s a community responsibility. We all share the responsibility of being aware of our surroundings when sharing the road, whether we're walking, biking, or driving.”
Both pedestrians and motorists have a joint responsibility of sharing the road and yielding to each other. Depending on the situation, one or both may be found to be at fault if an accident occurs.
“Last year in Soledad, eighteen pedestrians and five bicyclists were struck by vehicles, many suffering serious injuries,” according to Soledad Mayor Anna Velazquez. “As we head into the holidays and the new year, let’s slow down, stay alert, and never text or drink and drive. Let’s aim for zero collisions.”
During the holiday season and year round, we want to remind everyone:
Pedestrians and Bicyclists
- Always use marked crosswalks and designated bike lanes
- Always use and follow crosswalk signals and flashing beacons at crosswalks when they are available
- Make eye contact with drivers before entering the road to ensure they see you
- Avoid wearing dark colors at night, or wear a reflective vest
- Use extra caution when walking or biking in areas with low-light
Drivers
- Never drive while distracted or impaired
- Pay attention to crossing lights and flashing beacons at crosswalks
- Use extra caution when driving in areas with low-light
- Slow down and give yourself extra time when driving at night or when weather conditions are poor, like in the rain or fog
Our local law enforcement agencies report dozens of calls each year involving pedestrians and vehicles. While many incidents may occur when pedestrians or bicyclists are outside of marked crosswalks, distracted or impaired driving makes it far less likely that drivers can react in time to prevent tragedy.
Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of accidents in the United States, and it applies to more than cell phone usage. In California, the distracted driving laws were amended in July 2025 to expand the citable offenses of distracted driving to include any reason from eating, reading, changing the radio, using maps, or even talking with passengers, as a few examples.
The City of Salinas and Salinas Valley Mayors urge everyone to slow down and stay alert to keep our streets safe this holiday season and all year-round.
Pedestrian and Driver Safety Resources
- Go Safely California – https://gosafelyca.org/
- Share the Road – https://gosafelyca.org/share-the-road/
- Distracted Driving – https://gosafelyca.org/just-drive/
- Don’t be the “I” in DUI – https://gosafelyca.org/dui-doesnt-just-mean-booze/
- Slow the Fast Down – https://gosafelyca.org/slow-the-fast-down/
- Driving Drowsy – https://gosafelyca.org/drowsy-driving/
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