From the Office of the Sheriff Sheriff Dennis L. Dotson

For Immediate Release

NEWS RELEASE

Date: September 8, 2006

Summary:

The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office successfully completed a Pedestrian Safety Enforcement Operation on Highway 34 in Waldport on September 08, 2006. The local enforcement effort was funded by a traffic safety grant from The Bicycle Transportation Alliance and Willamette Pedestrian Coalition. The purpose of the operation was to raise driver and public awareness regarding pedestrian safety. The operation involved the use of a decoy pedestrian walking back and forth across the highway in a marked crosswalk. Traffic cones were deployed on the highway indicating where the operation began and ended for motorists traveling both directions through the operation. The operation lasted 3 hours.

Deputies issued 11 citations to motorists who failed to stop for the pedestrian. One driver was issued a citation for driving without a valid driver license. Another driver was issued a citation for Driving While Suspended and his vehicle was impounded. Ten motorists were issued warnings. 160 motorists correctly stopped for the pedestrian resulting in a compliance rate of 87%. This compliance rate is 4% higher than the compliance rate from the Pedestrian Safety Enforcement Operation conducted in Waldport on July 01, 2006.

Deputies involved in the operation received a number of thumbs up gestures and waves from passing motorists. One motorist stopped by and suggested that a decoy pedestrian in a wheelchair be added to the operation. Most of the motorists who were stopped told deputies that they just didn't see the pedestrian in the crosswalk. One motorist, who was issued a citation for driving by the pedestrian in the same lane the pedestrian was walking in, thanked the deputy for stopping him and offered an endorsement for the operation. The driver was operating his vehicle in an unaware state and didn't see the pedestrian until it was too late to stop.

The Lincoln County Sheriff's Office has exhausted the grant funds for the Pedestrian Safety Enforcement Operations for 2006. Sheriff Dotson stated, "It is uncertain at this time if the grant funds will be available for Pedestrian Safety Enforcement Operations for 2007, but The Lincoln County Sheriff's Office will apply for the grant if it is available."

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