The Riverside Police Department's Traffic Education Unit was established in 1997 to reduce injury and death due to traffic collisions.  The Riverside Police Department has been recognized as a leader in the area of Traffic Education.  RPD was one of the first programs in Southern California with a full time dedicated coordinator.  The Traffic Education Unit is supported by state and local grants as well as partnerships with local groups and businesses. The Traffic Education Unit has taken a pro-active step to educate the citizens of our community and provide many programs in traffic safety.

Bicycle Safety Classes cover the laws and safety practices as they apply to bicycle riding, skateboarding, in-line skating, and motorized scooters.  Children will learn the correct way to use hand signals and make safe turns. Classes can be customized for all age groups.

• Traffic Safety Classes are offered each quarter in February, May, August, and November. The class is suitable for children 6 yrs to 18 yrs old and runs about 1½ - 2 hours depending on class size. Classes are by reservation only and both the child and parent must attend. Parents may purchase a helmet for each child attending the class for $10.00. Please call for the current dates and times of classes.  Classes are held at the Magnolia Police Facility located at 10540 Magnolia Ave, Riverside. Parents may register their child for the class by calling Nicolle Macarter, Traffic Education Coordinator at (951) 353-7981.

• Host a Bicycle Safety Class for your club or neighborhood. Classes can be customized to fit the needs you have and can be scheduled by contacting Nicolle Macarter, Traffic Education Coordinator at (951) 353-7981.

• Teachers may request safety presentations for their classrooms or an assembly for the whole school. These presentations are scheduled as requested. Schools that participate in safety presentations will have the opportunity to offer reduced cost helmets to their students. Contact Nicolle Macarter, Traffic Education Coordinator at (951) 353-7981 for more information.

• Helmet usage is encouraged by offering low cost helmets through a partnership with the Riverside County Injury Prevention Services. Children participating in bicycle safety education provided by RPD’s Traffic Education Unit are qualified to purchase a helmet at a reduced cost.

Safety Cite is the newest traffic safety program. The Traffic Education Unit launched the "Safety Cite" program in February 2004. This is a positive reinforcement program to promote the use of helmets for bicycles, skateboards, scooters, & skates.

Juveniles that are properly wearing their helmets, obeying the law, and/or practicing proper safety skills will be "cited" by police department employees. Letters will be sent to their parents and cited children will receive a prize. Each child cited will be entered into a drawing for a new bike (donated by Riverside Optimist Club).

Child Safety Seats

THE LAW… If you child is less than 6 years old or less than 60 pounds they MUST be properly secured in an approved child restraint (car seat or booster) in the back seat of your car.

Car seat fitting stations are held once a month at the Magnolia Police Station. Parents, Grandparents and/or caregivers may make an appointment to have their child restraint checked by a certified technician. The child restraint will be checked for any recalls, proper usage, and proper \ fit of the child. Parents will assist technicians with the installation of the child restraint to insure that the parent will be able to secure the child properly at all times.  All technicians working at these events have attended the 32 hr National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) certification course.  30-minute appointments are made for each child restraint to be checked to ensure no one will have a long wait. Days and times vary to make this service available to everyone. Appointments are made on a first come first serve basis and may be made by contacting Nicolle Macarter, Traffic Education Coordinator at (951) 353-7981.

Public car seat clinics are offered through out the year at different locations. Anyone may attend these clinics and have your seat checked. To host a clinic at your location contact Nicolle Macarter, Traffic Education Coordinator at (951) 353-7981

The Traffic Safety Fair, scheduled for October 6th, 20067, is an annual event presented in partnership with Castle Park. The fair is held at Castle Park in the fall and includes an in-depth look at traffic safety from car seats to drunk driving. The fair is supported by many agencies and donations from the community.

Driving Under the Influence is a national problem that affects all of us. Impaired driving is one of the most often committed crimes, randomly killing someone in America every 30 minutes and 40 people a day. That means you; your family or friends are just as likely to be innocent victims. RPD-Traffic Education combats this problem with education at the high school level.  Programs include Every 15 Minutes, Fatal Vision activities, and a new DUI simulation driving course program. 

 

Facts

• Motor vehicle crashes remain the leading cause of death for people 1-34 years of age in the United States. Collisions are the leading cause of death for people of all ages, accounting for nearly 44,000 deaths in 2001.  4,281 people died in California in 2001, giving California the highest number of motor vehicle deaths in the United States.

• In 2002, alcohol-related motor vehicle collisions accounted for 41% of all traffic-related deaths. Between 1997 and 2002, 68% of U.S. children killed in alcohol-related crashes were riding in the same vehicle as the drinking driver. These children were less likely to be properly restrained than children who died in crashes that did not involve alcohol.

• Children are particularly vulnerable to motor vehicle collisions. Of the 459 children aged 4 years and younger who were fatally injured in 2002, 40% were completely unrestrained. In California, children under 6 years old or under 60 pounds must be properly secured in an approved child restraint.