Coachella 2023: Indio police reinforces safety protocols ahead of weekend two

Indio police is doubling down on safety protocols after many Coachella festivalgoers and ride share drivers created hazardous conditions on the roads during weekend one.

“We've been doing the concerts for a long time and that service was introduced some few years ago. It became very popular to use that service rather than the traditional services," said Ben Guitron, Indio Police Department.

According to Ben Guitron, the spokesperson for the Indio Police Department, festivalgoers and drivers for services like Uber and Lyft ignored the designated drop-off and pick-up location at Ave 49 and Monroe St. and exited their vehicles in closed-off areas which created safety and traffic issues.

“It impedes traffic so we have people that are trying to keep traffic flowing...we get up through the intersection...now we have to stop them because these vehicles stop. Then we have people wanting to cross," said Guitron, Indio Police Department.

Indio police reported incidents of some festivalgoers jumping out of cars and into busy roadways.

Guitron says Indio police is reminding the public that everyone has a responsibility to stay safe, even when they see a window of opportunity.

“When you're a driver, you have a DMV commitment and it's a privilege commitment….And then the pedestrians have the same, they have they have certain privileges. [They] need to realize that this is not a normal day at work day. This is a big event and there's going to be a lot of people.”