Oregon has a new crosswalk law! SB 424 clarifies that a pedestrian is crossing the roadway in a crosswalk when any part or extension of pedestrian’s body moves onto roadway with intent to proceed.
The BTA’s Pedestrian Safety Enforcement Mini-Grants program can help Police and Sheriff agencies throughout Oregon improve pedestrian safety by educating community members on Oregon’s crosswalk laws through pedestrian safety enforcement actions.
Twenty-seven agencies participated in the Pedestrian Safety Mini-grant program administered by the BTA in 2011. They conducted 90 operations along with outreach to the community and media.
“The ability to conduct these operations has resulted in a decrease in pedestrian accidents and an increase in pedestrian safety, through both public awareness and enforcement.”
– Sgt. Peter J Roy, Independence Police Department
Applications for the grant are due January 31, 2012. A training will be held on March 12. It is open to all law enforcement officers whether or not they apply for the grant.
Click here for more information about how to apply.
About Pedestrian Safety Enforcement operations
ODOT funds enable enforcement agencies throughout the state to stage crosswalk enforcement actions educating motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians on crosswalk laws. In these operations, a decoy police officer attempts to cross a street at an intersection or marked crosswalk. (Crosswalk laws apply to unmarked crosswalks as well.) If passing motorists fail to stop and yield for the pedestrian they are issued either a warning or a citation. The operations include a media outreach component, with the purpose of raising awareness around motorist, cyclist, and pedestrian responsibilities.
How to apply for a Pedestrian Safety Enforcement Mini Grant
2012 grant applications are due January 31, 2012.
Pedestrian Safety Enforcement Training Information
Pedestrian Safety Enforcement Training will be held on Monday, March 12, 2012, at the Lane County Public Works building in Eugene.
Download a 2012 PSE Training Registration Form
Learn more about current crosswalk law by downloading brochures produced by the Oregon Department of Transportation.
Text of the 2011 update to pedestrian safety and crosswalk laws: Senate Bill 424
Text of the 2006 update to pedestrian safety and crosswalk laws: Senate Bill 591 (PDF – 24k)
Questions?
Contact BTA Programs Director Stephanie Noll at stephanie@btaoregon.org or (503) 226-0676 x23.
