{"id":401885,"date":"2026-07-17T05:53:14","date_gmt":"2026-07-17T05:53:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/401885\/"},"modified":"2026-07-17T05:53:14","modified_gmt":"2026-07-17T05:53:14","slug":"bakersfield-officials-discuss-efforts-to-improve-pedestrian-safety","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/401885\/","title":{"rendered":"Bakersfield officials discuss efforts to improve pedestrian safety"},"content":{"rendered":"

BAKERSFIELD, Calif.(KBAK\/KBFX) \u2014 After several recent pedestrian crashes across Bakersfield, local officials say improving safety on city streets requires a combination of enforcement, education and roadway improvements.<\/p>\n

The conversation comes after Eyewitness News spoke with the family of 67-year-old Pauline Terrazas, who was struck and killed while crossing Brundage Lane on Father’s Day. <\/a>While her story highlighted the devastating impact these crashes have on families, local officials say they are also working to reduce the likelihood of future tragedies.<\/p>\n

\"Courtesy:<\/p>\n

Courtesy: Jessica Soliz & Sal Soliz<\/p>\n

The Bakersfield Police Department says it has seen an increase in pedestrian-related collisions this year.<\/p>\n

“Unfortunately this year we’ve had plenty of pedestrian related major injury collisions as well as fatals,” Officer Joe Clerico said.<\/p>\n

\"KBAK\/KBFX\"<\/p>\n

According to Clerico and Officer Sidney Wicks, many of those crashes share common contributing factors.<\/p>\n

“The most common factors we’re seeing are either driving under the influence, distracted driving, so being on their cell phones, eating while driving, putting on makeup,” Wicks said. “Or even for the pedestrians – they’re not looking both ways before they cross. They’re not wearing reflective clothing or any gear, or they’re outside of the crosswalk.”<\/p>\n

Police say excessive speed is another common factor they continue to see.<\/p>\n

Clerico said one area that has experienced a high number of pedestrian-related collisions is Union Avenue.<\/p>\n

“Even with all the measures the city’s taken, there’s still unfortunately a lot of pedestrian-related collisions,” Clerico said.<\/p>\n

\"KBAK\/KBFX\"<\/p>\n

While many of those crashes remain under investigation, officers believe many could be prevented through safer decisions made by both drivers and pedestrians.<\/p>\n

To help reduce collisions, the department conducts pedestrian enforcement operations in areas where crashes have become more common.<\/p>\n

“We recently did one on Union Avenue because of a lot of pedestrian-related collisions a few months ago,” Clerico said.<\/p>\n

\"KBAK\/KBFX\"<\/p>\n

During those operations, officers focus on both drivers and pedestrians, enforcing traffic laws and encouraging people to use marked crosswalks, obey traffic signals and remain aware of their surroundings.<\/p>\n

However, enforcement is only one part of the City’s broader approach to pedestrian safety.<\/p>\n

“Our objective is to engineer solutions into a roadway to slow people down,” said Paul Archer, Assistant Public Works Director for the City of Bakersfield.<\/p>\n

\"KBAK\/KBFX\"<\/p>\n

Archer said the City has made traffic safety a priority over the past several years by adopting policies that require roadway projects to consider all users, while also pursuing grant funding and investing local dollars into transportation improvements.<\/p>\n

Those improvements are already taking shape throughout Bakersfield.<\/p>\n

According to Archer, current projects include roadway improvements along H Street and the 18th and 19th Streets corridor, along with a recently installed flashing beacon on Truxtun Avenue designed to improve pedestrian safety.<\/p>\n

\"KBAK\/KBFX\"<\/p>\n

The 18th and 19th Streets Corridor Improvement Project, which is expected to continue through October 2026, includes pavement rehabilitation, upgraded sidewalks and access ramps, pedestrian and street lighting, bicycle striping, traffic striping, signage, landscaping and other infrastructure improvements intended to create a safer, more walkable downtown corridor.<\/p>\n

The project is part of the City’s long-term Making Downtown Bakersfield Vision Plan, which aims to improve walkability, strengthen connections between key destinations and encourage continued investment in downtown infrastructure. Additional corridor improvements are planned for H Street and Chester Avenue.<\/p>\n

\"KBAK\/KBFX\"<\/p>\n

Archer said when multiple pedestrian crashes occur on a roadway, City staff evaluates the location before determining whether engineering improvements could help.<\/p>\n

“We also do studies to determine traffic volumes and traffic speeds, and that will help us interpret how we need to address the users of the road and how people use the road,” Archer said.<\/p>\n

He said the City’s goal is to create streets that safely accommodate everyone who uses them.<\/p>\n

“Our goal is truly a balanced system… to make sure that people who are driving in their car get where they need to go in a timely manner. But the people who are using the roads for other means, whether it’s riding a bike or walking, can do so safely as well,” Archer said.<\/p>\n

Current projects build on previous pedestrian safety investments made throughout Bakersfield.<\/p>\n

In 2023, the City received nearly $1.5 million through California’s Highway Safety Improvement Program to fund projects including raised medians, radar feedback signs, high-visibility traffic signal backplates and flashing yellow beacons near schools. City officials said those improvements were designed to enhance safety for pedestrians, bicyclists and drivers while reducing crashes at high-risk locations.<\/p>\n

\"KBAK\/KBFX\"<\/p>\n

Archer said the City also relies on residents to help identify areas that may need additional attention through its Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program. Residents can contact the City’s Traffic Engineering Division to report concerns about speeding, traffic patterns or roadway safety in their neighborhoods.<\/p>\n

There email is PWADM@bakersfieldcity.us and their phone number is (661) 326-3724.<\/p>\n

Police say, while infrastructure improvements can help make roads safer, preventing crashes ultimately depends on everyone sharing the roadway responsibly.<\/p>\n

\"KBAK\/KBFX\"<\/p>\n

“Slow down. Pay attention. Just be aware of your surroundings, and please watch your speed,” Clerico said.<\/p>\n

Wicks also urged pedestrians to do their part by using crosswalks whenever possible, looking both ways before crossing, wearing reflective clothing at night and avoiding distractions such as cell phones or headphones while walking near traffic.<\/p>\n

Officials say improving pedestrian safety is a shared responsibility\u2014one that requires engineering, enforcement and awareness from everyone using Bakersfield’s roads.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"BAKERSFIELD, Calif.(KBAK\/KBFX) \u2014 After several recent pedestrian crashes across Bakersfield, local officials say improving safety on city streets…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":401886,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[35],"tags":[151,153,152],"class_list":["post-401885","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-bakersfield","tag-bakersfield","tag-bakersfield-headlines","tag-bakersfield-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/401885","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=401885"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/401885\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/401886"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=401885"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=401885"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=401885"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}