Woman Hit By Car in San Mateo Crosswalk

A 67-year-old pedestrian struck by a car in San Mateo on Thursday morning was seriously injured in the collision, the San Mateo Police Department reported in a statement Thursday night.

The woman was crossing the 2700 block of Alameda de las Pulgas at about 8:15 a.m. in a crosswalk at Portola Drive when she was hit by a car, police said.

She suffered serious, life-threatening injuries, and was transported by ambulance to the nearest trauma center.

The driver of the involved vehicle, a 30-year-old San Mateo resident driving a newer model utility van, remained at the scene. Drugs or alcohol are not suspected in this incident, police said.

SMPD Traffic Personnel are conducting a thorough investigation, and will submit any results to the District Attorney’s Office for review if appropriate.

A Message from San Mateo Police:

Several mid-county cities have experienced serious injury accidents and fatalities among our senior population. The particular danger that this type of accident poses to our aging community is of great concern. We are joining with our neighboring police departments in Burlingame, Foster City, and Hillsborough and dedicating June to Senior Pedestrian Safety as part of our countywide Saturated Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP).

Efforts currently include community meetings with local seniors and other community groups to provide pedestrian safety information, as well as targeted enforcement operations to hold drivers and pedestrians accountable for traffic safety.

Safety Tips from San Mateo Police:

• 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))