The Ann Arbor Police Department will conduct a targeted enforcement campaign at 14 pedestrian crosswalks between Tuesday, Jan. 22, and Saturday, Jan. 26.
Over the course of the five days, police officers plan to keep a watchful eye for drivers not stopping for pedestrians crossing the street at crosswalks.
Under the city's pedestrian safety ordinance approved by the City Council in 2010 and amended in 2011, motorists are required to stop for pedestrians at the curb or within the crosswalk.
A pedestrian-activated and solar-powered flashing beacon alerts drivers to stop at the crosswalk at Seventh and Washington streets in Ann Arbor
Ryan J. Stanton | AnnArbor.com
Shortly after enforcement of the ordinance began in 2011, there were a number of reports of traffic accidents in which motorists were rear-ended after stopping for pedestrians at crosswalks. At particularly problematic crosswalks, including along Plymouth Road, the city eventually installed strobing lights that can be activated by pedestrians to help make sure cars stop.
The upcoming targeted enforcement campaign is a component of a broader program emphasizing safe streets and sidewalks for all users in Ann Arbor.
The city is producing and distributing informational materials targeted to drivers, pedestrians and cyclists on the subject of safety and basic etiquette.
City officials said safe driving is not the sole emphasis of the campaign, as pedestrians have responsibilities, too.
The city's ordinance also makes it unlawful for pedestrians to suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety and walk or run into a path of a vehicle that is so close it is unsafe for a driver to yield.
The locations that will be in rotation for targeted enforcement include:
- Fuller Road and the V.A. Hospital
- Fuller Road and Mitchell Field
- William Street and Ashley Street
- William Street and Main Street
- Fifth Avenue and Packard Street
- North Division Street and Community High School
- Liberty Street and Crest Avenue
- North Division Street and South of Broadway Bridge
- First Street and Jefferson Street
- South Industrial Highway and Stadium Boulevard
- Plymouth Road and Bishop Avenue
- Hill Street and East University Avenue
- Hill Street and Church Street
- 2200 block of Washtenaw Avenue
City officials said ensuring pedestrian safety is especially important in Ann Arbor with more than 17 percent of residents walking to work, more than six times the national average.
Ann Arbor has been recognized by Prevention Magazine and the American Podiatric Medical Association as the third most walkable city in the nation.
Additional information on safe walking, bicycling and driving in Ann Arbor can be found at www.a2gov.org/walkbikedrive and http://a2nonmoto.tumblr.com.
Ryan J. Stanton covers government and politics for AnnArbor.com. Reach him at ryanstanton@annarbor.com or 734-623-2529. You also can follow him on Twitter or subscribe to AnnArbor.com's email newsletters.