Scores of tickets issued in pedestrian right-of-way sting focused on safety

[The Straight Story]

STOCKTON - Some might consider it a nuisance, but to the Police Department, and to the families of those killed this year while crossing a street, enforcing the pedestrian right-of-way is a matter of life and death.

"Absolutely," said Sgt. Jason Christensen, who was running a pedestrian right-of-way sting on Wednesday. "A lot of folks they did say, 'I didn't even see the guy in the crosswalk.' "

According to the Stockton Police Department, there have been 22 fatal traffic collisions in the city so far this year, nine of them involving pedestrians and three of those crossing at a crosswalk. So the Police Department scheduled Wednesday's operation to get drivers, and pedestrians, to pay better attention, to the law and to the street.

...

Christensen said police had encountered some anger from ticketed drivers. A violation of the pedestrian right-of-way nets a $265 fine, he said. Jaywalking, also enforced during the mission, carries a $185 fine.

By the end of the mission, police had issued 92 citations for failure to yield for a pedestrian in a crosswalk and eight citations for jaywalking.

http://www.recordnet.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20101125/A_NEWS/11250323

[KT2000]

1. Had one of those where I live

the best thing about it was the police said they were going to do it. They ran articles explaining the law which was a good reminder.

[beyurslf]

2. How did the sting work?

Were police visible and present or hiding? They do these in school zones here and a cop hides back after the school zone to radar someone going too fast through the 20 mph zone. To me, this does not make it safer--in fact, they knowingly let the school zone be unsafe just so they can catch someone and fine them. I suppose this is a fine reason to do it but they shouldn't make it about safety of it is really about making money. If they want the school zone to be safe (or that cross walk), put the cop right out in front and visible. Everyone slows down and pays attention then.

[MurrayDelph]

3. In Los Angeles

the officer is dressed like Santa Claus, or a giant Easter Bunny (depending on time of year), so the
"I didn't see him" argument carries less weight.

[hlthe2b]

4. RIght turn on red and left turns across a cross-walk...

the most dangerous aspects of the city for pedestrians. I can not begin to count the number of times I have seen someone almost be hit, including myself.