What We Know: Police in Springfield issued nine citations during a two-hour crosswalk enforcement operation on July 1 aimed at improving pedestrian safety.
What It Means: The operation took place at the High Intensity Activated Crosswalk (HAWK) signal on North Glenstone Avenue, just north of Kearney Street. During the enforcement period, 22 pedestrians safely crossed the street using the signal.
Police issued eight citations to pedestrians for crossing outside the crosswalk on the busy roadway.
One driver was also cited for running a red light at the crosswalk.
The enforcement followed six pedestrian fatalities in Springfield this year.
Police say the goal is to reduce crashes, improve driver compliance, and encourage both drivers and pedestrians to follow the rules of the road.
What’s Next: The Springfield Police Department plans to hold additional crosswalk enforcement operations later this year.
The effort is funded through a hazardous moving violations grant from the Missouri Department of Transportation’s Traffic and Highway Safety Division.
(Courtesy of Springfield Police Department)