The mission of the Street Smarts public education campaign is to reduce the number 

of traffic-related crashes and injuries throughout the County of Santa Cruz.

Street Smarts is the prime educational component of the City of Santa Cruz Vision Zero policy.

Building on two successful years of our Street Smarts traffic safety campaign, the City of Santa Cruz public education effort expanded in August 2019 in partnership with the County of Santa Cruz,  the neighboring cities of Watsonville, Scotts Valley, and Capitola, and the Santa Cruz County Office of Education.. Street Smarts' mission is to reduce the number of traffic-related crashes and injuries throughout the County of Santa Cruz. The campaign is designed for drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians, and intends to improve the behavior of all three groups.

Our prime collaborative strategy to change and improve our community's traffic safety behavior is repetition of traffic safety media messages: Street Smarts' bilingual public service videos can be seen and heard online. (Scroll down to view them.) We are planning a primetime television campaign to feature these videos through a co-sponsorship with KION/Telemundo to run from August 2025- July 2026. And seven of these bilingual videos are now running at the Capitola and Watsonville DMVs through August 2024. 

Street Smarts messages have also been broadcast on KAZU, KSCO, KZSC, KLOK and KSES radio stations and read in countywide print publications. Messages have also been placed on street poles, in front of schools and on City of Santa Cruz vehicles and yard signs. (Traffic safety yard signs are available to City residents at the link below.)

Past City of Santa Cruz Street Smarts outreach efforts have also included traffic safety assembly presentations to all SCCS middle and elementary school students and the hosting of "Be Safe Be Seen" bike light events distributing bike lights to cyclists in need making cycling safer with more visibility at night. We've also hosted educational "Be Safe Be Seen" pedestrian safety booths citywide. Some of these activities were funded by an OTS grant which also provided new school and street banners and vehicle decals that have continued in outdoor messaging well beyond the grant period.

Safety Videos / Videos de Seguridad

Request a Yard Sign / Solicite un Signo de Patio

Yard signs with traffic safety messages in English and Spanish are available free of charge to City of Santa Cruz residents. Follow the link above to see the various options that are available. To pick up a yard sign, visit the Public Works office (809 Center Street, Room 201), Monday through Thursday from 7 am -12 pm. Please call (831) 420-5160 if you'd like to make an appointment.

Program Sponsors & Partners

We are tremendously grateful for our recent media and financial sponsors. We also greatly appreciate the input and collaboration of numerous partner organizations and agencies who have assisted with development of the Street Smarts program. Follow the links above to learn more about these valuable organizations. 

Traffic Safety Tips for Drivers, Cyclists and Pedestrians

A safer Santa Cruz region starts with being smart on the road. Follow the link above for safety tips for everyone, whether you walk, bike or drive. 

Messages in Spanish / Mensajes en Español

Follow the link above to view Street Smarts traffic safety messages in Spanish.