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With the Fourth of July holiday around the corner, summer in full swing and heart-breaking news from our neighbor to the south, traffic safety is top of mind as we head into the weekend. Please take a moment to read through the safety information below and share with your loved ones, along with other news of the week:

• Slowing down to save lives
• Fourth of July safety reminders
• Avoid holiday plumbing emergencies
• Where to enjoy fresh air and public art
• Holiday city service schedule
• Happening tonight: Weigh in on our region’s transportation plans

The importance of slowing down

As you may have heard, our North County community suffered a terrible tragedy last week when an Encinitas teenager lost his life in an e-bike collision just south of Encinitas Boulevard on El Camino Real. My heartfelt condolences go out to the family, friends and other loved ones who are coping with an unimaginable loss.

This week Encinitas declared a local emergency to address traffic safety after seeing a dramatic increase in bike and e-bike injury collisions, just as we saw here in Carlsbad. We are supporting our counterparts in Encinitas by sharing resources and strategies we have developed over the past 10 months since Carlsbad declared a local emergency.

I am very proud of how the Carlsbad community has come together to make our streets safer for everyone. Since declaring a local emergency last August, injury collisions have gone down 19% overall and 13% for bikes and e-bikes. But these numbers only cover a short period of time, and we are entering peak season for traffic safety. That is why I am asking once again for your help.

• Please take a public pledge to do your part to keep our streets safe for everyone.
• Show others you have committed to this cause by putting a window cling on your car window or a sign in your front yard (available at all city libraries). This really does help influence the behavior of others in our community to also be safe.
• Talk to your kids and other loved ones about the importance of slowing down, following the rules of the road and taking our free safety classes.

Revisiting the “three Es”

From the outset we have stressed the “three Es” of traffic safety: education, engineering and enforcement. Likewise, we have also focused on all modes of travel, not just e-bikes. That’s because all these elements need to work together to prevent serious injuries and deaths on our roadways.

On the engineering front, we have been making changes to local roads designed to slow down traffic.

This includes restriping lanes to make vehicle lanes narrower, which is a proven way to slow down drivers. Roundabouts are another way we can influence driver behavior through street design.

• To many residents, these changes seem counterintuitive.
• It feels less safe to drive in a narrower lane, and roundabouts are literally obstacles in the middle of the road.
• Rest assured, our traffic engineers are relying on sound data in making these changes.
• Street designs that force drivers to pay more attention and slow down result in fewer injury collisions, and that is our number one goal.

As for enforcement, we will have extra patrols out over the long holiday weekend. Be sure to arrange a designated driver or use a rideshare service if you are planning to drink.

Most of all, please slow down, considering how one wrong move could end someone’s life. 

New national report sheds light on pedestrian safety

Traffic safety is not a Carlsbad issue or an Encinitas issue, it’s a nationwide issue. A new report from the Governors Highway Safety Association is the latest to show a troubling trend when it comes to traffic safety. 

According to the latest numbers, pedestrian deaths nationwide are at their highest since 1981, with speeding as a key factor.

Have a safe holiday

The Fourth of July holiday is always a busy time in Carlsbad, and we want it to be a safe one for everyone. The Carlsbad Police Department will be out keeping an eye on things over the holiday weekend and is sharing these important reminders to help keep our community safe:

• Fireworks – Don’t set off fireworks. It’s illegal and a fire hazard. You can search online for public firework displays that can be enjoyed from Carlsbad.
• Beaches – No alcohol or dogs on beaches; fires are only allowed in sanctioned fire pits.
• Alcohol – Designate a driver or use rideshare services. Providing alcohol to minors at parties is against the city's Social Host Ordinance. Please report drunk drivers to 911.
• Personal belongings – If you cannot take personal belongings with you and keep an eye on them, leave them at home.
• Home security – Before you leave home, close and lock your windows and doors.
• Driving – There will be more people on the road for the holiday. Remember to slow down, obey all traffic signs and signals and look twice for pedestrians and bicyclists.
• Bicycles – Bike riders must follow the same rules of the road as drivers, or risk getting a ticket. Lock up your bicycle and keep an eye on it. Put your bike securely away when you arrive home.
• Pets – If your pet gets lost or you find a lost pet, San Diego Humane Society has several resources available to help you find your missing pet or reunite a lost pet with their family.

Thank you for partnering with us this holiday weekend and for helping us keep Carlsbad safe and secure. 

And a note from our lifeguards

Carlsbad lifeguards will be patrolling the northernmost part of the beach this holiday weekend (state guards take care of beaches managed by State Parks). I encourage you to take a look at these informational videos if you’re planning to head to the beach. This link will bring up a playlist including how to spot a riptide and how to do the “stingray” shuffle.

Do you “flush smart?”

Nothing ruins a day at the beach like contaminated water. July 1 is Flush Smart Day in California, an opportunity to brush up on what can and can’t go down the drain.

• Sewer backups and clogged drains not only lead to expensive home plumbing repairs, they can cause pipeline damage and public health and environmental concerns.
• The vast majority of things that cause clogs at wastewater treatment plants are items that have been flushed when they should have been thrown in the trash.
• A main culprit are so-called “flushable wipes.”

This video shows why flushable wipes should not be flushed, despite their name. And it’s not just flushable wipes – don’t flush any wipes, including baby wipes, cleaning wipes, facial wipes and other wipes commonly used in bathrooms or kitchens. Only toilet paper, please.

Holiday picnics, BBQs and more

• If your holiday plans include special meals, here are some other ways to make sure plumbing problems don’t dampen the fun:
• Scrape food, sauces and oils from plates and pans into the trash or green bin, not down the drain.
• Put a strainer in the sink drain and empty solids into the trash or green bin.
• Wipe cooking pan residue with a paper towel and throw it in the trash.
• Remove fruit labels and throw them in the trash, not down the drain.

Most food waste can be disposed of in your kitchen caddy and green compost cart. If you aren’t sure what goes in the compost cart or the trash, check the city’s organic waste composting page for more details.

What’s open, what’s closed on the Fourth of July

Just a reminder that city offices will be closed Tuesday for Independence Day. Here is the full holiday schedule for Tuesday, July 4.

• City offices: Closed
• Emergency services: Regular service
• Trash pickup: No delay
• City pools: Close at 2 p.m.
• Libraries and Cultural Arts facilities: Closed
• Community centers: Closed
• Senior Center: Closed
• Leo Carrillo Ranch: Closed
• Transit: For the holiday transit schedule, please visit gonctd.com or call 5-1-1

Enjoy fresh air and public art

We're wrapping up Great Outdoors Month and blue skies are making a comeback! That means it’s time to get outside and enjoy the beauty of our community. While you’re out there, take a few minutes to explore some of the amazing public art on display in our city.

There’s a lot to see!

• Stroll through the Sculpture Garden
• Stop by the murals at the Library Learning Center and New Village Arts
• Find the beach chair art scattered throughout Carlsbad

This handy map is a great place to start — it highlights each location and provides key details about the artwork you’ll find there. 

Pop Up Art at new Cannon Gallery exhibition

Speaking of art, last week I told you about the new Breaking Glass Boundaries exhibition now open at the Cannon Art Gallery. The exhibition showcases some beautiful art pieces from Barrio Glassworks, a public glassblowing studio and retail gallery in Carlsbad’s historic Barrio community.

This video will give you a sneak peek.

Pop Up Art: An Interactive Experience for All Ages

Saturday, July 1

Noon to 2 p.m.

Cannon Art Gallery

1775 Dove Lane

If you can’t join us this weekend, mark your calendars for two more opportunities on July 22 and Aug. 12. 

Get involved: Upcoming meetings

The next City Council meeting will take place Tuesday, July 11, starting at 5 p.m. in the City Council chamber. A link to the full agenda and staff reports will be available on the city’s website no later than Friday, July 7.

There are no city commissions or committees meeting next week, but I do want to alert you to a regional meeting taking place this evening:

Weigh in on San Diego County’s transportation future

The San Diego Association of Governments is looking for input as it develops the next Regional Plan for San Diego County.

Thursday, June 29, 2023 

6 to 7:30 p.m. 

Zoom (RSVP)

Every four years, SANDAG prepares an updated plan that guides how people move around our region. The plan includes major transportation projects and programs that could impact communities all over the county, including Carlsbad. 

Learn more.

Before I sign off, I want to wish everyone a happy, safe Fourth of July. And thank you for taking a little extra time to ensure our community stays safe.

Scott Chadwick