Dear Residents,
As your Chief of Police, I want to take a moment to remind everyone about an important safety measure that can save lives — walking and running on the left-hand side of the road, facing oncoming traffic, as required by California traffic laws.
This rule isn’t just a formality — it’s designed to protect you. By facing traffic, you increase your ability to see approaching vehicles and react if necessary. It also helps drivers see you more clearly, especially in low-visibility conditions like early mornings or evenings.
Please share this message with your family, friends, and neighbors. Whether you're out for exercise or just a stroll through the neighborhood, walking or running on the left side of the road is a simple action that greatly reduces the risk of accidents in addition to wearing highly visible clothing.
If you are an avid walker or runner, consider joining the Atherton Police Department’s Resident Volunteer Patrol (RVP) team. This is a great way to give back to your community and to assist the police department. If you are interested in joining the RVP team, please contact Sergeant Jon Fong at JFong@ci.atherton.ca.us.
Let’s continue working together to keep our community safe.
Respectfully,
Steven D McCulley
Chief of Police