| Contact: |
Sergeant Mark Meister
541-265-4277 x4937
mmeister@co.lincoln.or.us |
| Incident: |
Pedestrian Safety Enforcement Operation |
| Date Occurred: |
Jul 17,2009 |
| Time Occurred: |
Approximately 1:30 - 4:00 pm |
| Location: |
Yachats, Or |
The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office has been awarded a grant by The Bicycle Transportation Alliance and Willamette Pedestrian Coalition to conduct pedestrian safety enforcement operations. The purpose of the operations is to raise driver and public awareness regarding pedestrian safety. An enforcement operation will be carried out on Highway 101 in Yachats on July 17th, 2009 between the hours of 1:30 PM and 4:00 PM. Additional operations will be carried out in other areas of Lincoln County this year preceded by media releases with details of each operation. The operations will involve the use of a decoy pedestrian. Deputies will be issuing citations to motorists who fail to stop for the pedestrian. Educational brochures will also be distributed to motorists.
Motorists are cautioned to be alert of the right of way laws concerning pedestrians. Motorists must be aware that crosswalks exist at any public street intersection, whether marked with paint or unmarked and under Oregon laws, a driver has specific duties to a pedestrian in a crosswalk. When turning at a traffic signal, drivers must stop and remain stopped for pedestrians until they have cleared the lane into which the vehicle is turning and at least 6 feet of the next lane. At any other crosswalks drivers must stop and remain stopped for pedestrians until they have cleared the lane in which the vehicle is traveling and the next lane.
Your Lincoln County Sheriff's Office urges motorists to remember to allow for ample time and distance in order to stop safely when approaching a crosswalk. Pedestrians must also exercise due caution when stepping into a crosswalk.
