Pedestrians and bicyclists — including children and teens — are getting hurt and killed at an alarming rate in the City of Melbourne.

Operation Street Smart aims to reduce bicycle and pedestrian fatalities and serious injuries through a combination of enforcement, education and engineering in the parts of the City of Melbourne where the most accidents have been occurring.

• Enforcement: Officers will address violations including speeding, right turn on red without stopping and red-light running.

• Education: Every traffic and pedestrian stop will be used as a learning opportunity with the goal of changing behavior.

• Engineering: Police officers will be on lookout for opportunities to improve traffic safety, including signage, lighting and design improvements.

All roadway users have a role to play in preventing accidents:

• Pedestrians must always cross at marked crosswalk when available. Look both ways and don’t assume cars will see you or will be able to stop in time if you run out into the road. Obey all road signs.

• Bicyclists must always ride with traffic, use proper hand signals and obey all safety and road signs. A bicycle rider or passenger who is under 16 years of age must wear a bicycle helmet.

• Motorists must come to a complete stop first and check for pedestrians and bicyclists as well as other vehicles before turning. If green, motorists must yield to pedestrians. Do not text and drive (it is illegal). Distracted driving kills. Put the phone down and just drive.