MEDFORD, Ore. — After a successful operation in April that led to 17 citations, the Medford Police Department (MPD) has another operation planned for June 11 between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.—this time at the intersection of W Main Street and N Ivy Street.
Once again, officers will be watching drivers to make sure that they are yielding to pedestrians in the crosswalk. According to MPD, the intent for this "Targeted Pedestrian Safety Enforcement Operation" is to raise pedestrian safety awareness through strict enforcement of right-of-way laws.
CLICK HERE for the results of the previous crosswalk 'sting.'
Violators will be ticketed for failure to stop and remain stopped for a pedestrian in marked or unmarked crosswalk, or passing a stopped vehicle at a crosswalk. The possible fine for either infraction is $265.
MPD stresses that although this intersection (W Main and N Ivy) is a marked crosswalk, "there is a crosswalk at every intersection, regardless if it is marked or unmarked."
In Oregon law, a driver is required to stop if a pedestrian is walking in your lane of traffic or the lane adjacent—whether it is a single or multi-lane roadway. Passing a vehicle stopped at a crosswalk if the vehicle is stopped to permit a pedestrian crossing is prohibited.
For further information regarding the Targeted Pedestrian Safety Enforcement operation, contact Corporal Tom Venables, Medford Police Department Special Services Section at 774-2094.
