and stay stopped” when crosswalks
are in use.
(Photo @ J. Maus)
The Portland Bureau of Transportation announced the location of their next crosswalk enforcement action last night. On August 23rd, PBOT and the Police Bureau will focus their efforts on the intersection of N. Williams and Morris.
Morris is a marked crosswalk and the PPB will be on high alert for anyone who fails to “stop and remain stopped” (as per ORS 811.028) when someone is in the crosswalk or attempting to cross the street.
Unlike previous enforcement actions, the PPB will conduct the mission during the evening rush hour at 5:30 pm. Typically, the missions are done during midday.
Williams Avenue has been the focus of a traffic safety project in recent weeks and during community meetings, a failure to stop for people walking has been a central complaint. With much of the Williams motor vehicle traffic going over the speed limit and many people on bikes also failing to yield when people are trying to cross, PPB could have their hands full.
It’s also worth noting that Oregon’s crosswalk laws were just strengthened during the last legislative session and the new provisions went into effect immediately. According to the BTA, the new law states that a person is crossing the street “when any part or extension” of the individual’s body, wheelchair, cane, crutch, bicycle or leashed animal enters the roadway.
Last night, the PPB held a crosswalk enforcement action on NE 82nd at Pacific that resulted in 26 citations and 2 warnings in just one and a half hours. Check out the video below with footage from that event that which explains how the enforcement actions work:
It will be interesting to see what the results of this mission are. Remember, this is far from a “sting.” The City puts out signs saying “Enforcement Action Ahead” and the event is publicized widely. They say the goal is to raise awareness of traffic laws and behavior — not to pad their coffers with ticket revenue.