'Take The Friendly Road' Initiative Encourages Safe Drivers

SANTA MONICA, CA – The City of Santa Monica is distributing 2,000 lawn signs to households in March, as part of a broader citywide initiative called “Take the Friendly Road,” the City press release said. The lawn signs are in partnership with local schools and the City’s Safe Routes to Schools program, and are meant to be a "practical tool to encourage all road users to model safe travel behaviors including looking out for one another and driving at neighborhood-appropriate speeds," City officials said.

More than half of Santa Monica residents walk or bike daily, and an estimated one-third of students walk to school, the press release said.

"Even with helmets or careful crossing, our youth are no match to speeding or distracted drivers," the City said. "That’s why, in the areas surrounding Santa Monica’s schools, it’s especially important to prioritize safety."

According to the City, nearly 40 percent of residents reported feeling uncomfortable navigating Santa Monica’s streets; the highest rate of collisions happens during the afternoon rush hour, when many students are walking home from after-school activities.

The “Take the Friendly Road” initiative is part of Santa Monica's commitment to eliminating all fatal and severe injury crashes by 2026 through education, infrastructure and enforcement. The City is posting active reminders like the lawn signs to encourage drivers to practice safe behavior.

“Our teachers and crossing guards are great safety resources for students and parents, but they are only able to keep an eye on the intersections and locations closest to the school,” said Cory Keen, the City's Safe Routes to School Coordinator. “We need to reach further; our entire city should be seen as a safety-first zone. With schools located in every neighborhood and students walking every day, we have a role to play in advocating for safety everywhere.”

Santa Monica children are provided multiple opportunities throughout the year to gain knowledge and techniques for safe behaviors through programs like: Kidical Mass family-friendly bike rides, bike safety training with Santa Monica Spoke and community events like COAST. The lawn signs are just another opportunity for families and neighbors to talk to each other about safety.

The signs will be distributed through Santa Monica’s public elementary schools as well as some private schools, the City said. Interested individuals can also email Cory Keen to receive one at [email protected].

“Take the Friendly Road is a call for all of us to pay attention to our actions, and the very real consequences of unsafe behavior, whether we’re behind the wheel or walking down the street,” Francie Stefan, Acting Chief Mobility Officer for the City of Santa Monica, said. “We want to encourage all of our students to get outside and to feel safe when biking, walking, skating, or scooting in the neighborhood… and for parents to feel confident too.”

To find out more about the City’s effort to bring safety education to our students and to find out more about the City’s commitment to eliminating fatal and severe injury crashes from our streets, go to www.santamonica.gov/friendlyroad.