23 cited in Redmond pedestrian safety ‘sting’
Redmond police issued 23 citations and six warnings during their third of four scheduled pedestrian safety operations, held Thursday at the intersection of SW 5th Street and Black Butte Ave between noon and 3 p.m.
Here’s the Redmond PD news release on the operation, and plans for the next one:
The primary focus of this program is to raise awareness of pedestrian safety issues and to reduce the number of vehicle crashes involving pedestrians within the City of Redmond.
The Redmond Police Department understands media coverage is integral to the success of pedestrian safety operations such as this. A combined effort by the police and media will increase public awareness of pedestrian crossing laws and influence driver behavior.
Thursday, a total of 15 citations were issued for failing to yield to a pedestrian during 30 traffic stops.
Additional citations issued during the safety operation included:
-Four for cell phone use
-Three for driving without insurance
-One for driving with an expired vehicle registration
-Six warnings were given for various other traffic violations
On Thursday, Sept. 13, from 7:00am to 10:00am, at the intersection of SW Canal Blvd and SW Elkhorn Ave, Redmond, the final pedestrian safety operation for 2012 will be conducted.
This intersection was selected because of the new school zone at Ridgeview High School. The Redmond Police Department, in addition to pedestrian safety violations, will be enforcing the school zone speed limit when the school zone is in effect during the scheduled operation.
This school zone speed limit is controlled by flashing warning signs which will flash, giving a driver additional warning the school zone speed limit is in effect.
The Redmond Police Department would like to remind all drivers school is starting soon and school zone speed limits will once again be enforced. School zone speed limits vary from school zone to school zone depending upon signage.
Generally, school zone speed limits apply when there is a flashing yellow light or when otherwise posted. Most school zones in the City of Redmond are applicable on school days, 7am to 5pm.
When school is not in session or when traveling through a school zone outside of the designated times, the regularly posted speed limit applies.
Information about Funding for this Operation (taken from www.btaoregon.org)
The BTA’s Pedestrian Safety Enforcement Mini-Grants program can help Police and Sheriff agencies throughout Oregon improve pedestrian safety by educating community members on Oregon’s crosswalk laws through pedestrian safety enforcement actions.
Twenty-seven agencies participated in the Pedestrian Safety Mini-grant program administered by the BTA in 2011. They conducted 90 operations along with outreach to the community and media.
ODOT funds enable enforcement agencies throughout the state to stage crosswalk enforcement actions educating motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians on crosswalk laws.
In these operations, a decoy police officer attempts to cross a street at an intersection or marked crosswalk. (Crosswalk laws apply to unmarked crosswalks as well.)
If passing motorists fail to stop and yield for the pedestrian. they are issued either a warning or a citation. The operations include a media outreach component, with the purpose of raising awareness around motorist, cyclist, and pedestrian responsibilities.
