August 27, 2024
For more information, contact: Steve Sparks (608) 692-3306
Traffic Safety Group Cautions Drivers about Pedestrian Safety
Dane County Traffic Safety Commission (TSC) officials have issued an urgent reminder for drivers to follow laws that protect pedestrians. This is in response to information shared in Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes’s blog last Friday about a pedestrian struck by a vehicle and significantly injured on a Madison crosswalk. “Many drivers are not fully aware of who has the right-of-way,” said Lt.
Matt Plendl, Waunakee Police Department. Lt. Plendl co-chairs the TSC’s law enforcement group, which brought together agencies across the county for an August campaign to reduce pedestrian deaths and injuries. The Waunakee Police Department is one of several conducting traffic surveillance events this month to spot violators and educate drivers and pedestrians. Lt. Plendl said these are the important laws and rules of the road drivers need to know:
By law, motorists must yield to pedestrians who have stepped into a marked or unmarked crosswalk if the pedestrian is crossing at a green light or “walk” signal.
By law, pedestrians crossing in the middle of a block must yield to motorists, but drivers must remain vigilant because walkers often assume vehicles instead must stop for them.
The law requires drivers not to block crosswalks when stopping at intersections.
Watch for pedestrians especially when turning at a green light or making a right turn on red.
Don’t pass another vehicle going the same direction and stopped at an intersection; you may not see a pedestrian on the other side of that vehicle starting to cross.
Remember seniors or pedestrians with disabilities may take longer to cross.
Lt. Plendl said it’s especially important right now to watch for children going back to school. They often don’t know about right-of-way and may dart out between cars or incorrectly judge the speed of oncoming traffic.
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For interviews, directly contact Lt. Matt Plendl, Waunakee Police Department, Dane County Traffic Safety Commission Law Enforcement Group Co-chair:
mplendl@waunakeepd.org, (608) 849-4523.