Pedestrians have the right-of-way in crosswalks
Monday, May 2, 2011
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| Photo by Steven H. Robinson |
As a result of citizen complaints, the Shoreline police are running emphasis patrols on pedestrian crossings.
"A Shoreline Traffic Officer dressed in plainclothes will be walking across many of our crosswalks throughout the city. The law states that drivers must stop for pedestrians in a cross walk. Those who violate this law will be stopped and cited for the appropriate infraction."
Already the police are netting more than they thought they would.
"After one emphasis patrol, the officers wrote 13 cross walk infractions, three subjects did not have insurance, one driver did not have a current license, one driver did not have a registration for his vehicle, and one driver was arrested for Driving Under the Influence. This occurred at two separate locations. "
Shoreline Police will continue random enforcement of the crosswalks.
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| Photo by Steven H. Robinson |
Lake Forest Park police are rigorous about stopping drivers for infractions: talking on cell phones, going even two miles over the speed limit in school zones, failing to yield to pedestrians, failing to come to a complete stop at stop signs, not wearing seat belts, and not having children in appropriate seat restraints. Like the Shoreline patrols, when police stop a driver, they will check license status, car registration, and insurance. If you have an outstanding warrant, they'll find that out, too.
Both departments will stop you for defective equipment, unsteady driving, expired tabs, and ignoring warning signs in construction zones.
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3 comments:
I agree that we all need to stop for pedestrians. I live by Shorewood High School and for some reason the kids hang out chatting by the cross walk, so you never know if they are hanging out or wanting to cross, maybe taking a flag...I know that is uncool, but it sure would give us drivers a hint of their intention. Oh and then there are the kids, head down, that don't stop look both ways and then cross...these students just figure we need to stop whether we are 4 feet or twent feet away. Just because there is a law doesn't mean a pedestrian can just step out in front of you.
Hooray for the Shoreline PD for this emphasis patrol. I always feel like I'm taking my life in my hands when I'm crossing the street in Shoreline. Such impatient drivers - and I walk fast!
I'm very pleased to learn the police are taking pedestrian safety seriously. I'd love to see them ticket bicyclists (who give others a bad rap) who use the cross walks to get around waiting for lights. They,too, are dangerous for pedestrians.
This issue cuts two ways. While drive need to be more conscientious, pedestrians need to be engaged in protecting themselves by making sure that drivers see them. Too many wear dark colors and/or don't even look before stepping into traffic -
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