The City of Portland’s latest crosswalk enforcement action resulted in 22 citations on Tuesday during rush hour on N. Williams Avenue. The event lasted from 5:30 to 7:30 pm and is part of an ongoing effort by the Police Bureau and Bureau of Transportation to raise awareness of Oregon traffic laws among Portland vehicle operators.
The police focused on the intersection of Williams and NE Morris near Dawson Park. Even though extensive warnings were made to the public both in advance and during the event, the police still managed to nab 22 law-breakers. Of the 22 citations written, 8 of them went to bicycle operators, 1 went to someone walking (for unsafely crossing the street to catch a bus), and 13 were given to people driving cars.
According to Mark Lear with PBOT, 20 of the 22 people who were cited opted to pay $35 to attend the “Share the Road Safety Class” in lieu of getting a ticket.
The Oregonian’s Cornelius Swart was at the event. He reported that all the police activity and onlookers created a hectic atmosphere and reviews of the event were mixed.
Lear says PBOT has received a lot of positive support from community groups like the Urban League and others. “This really came about after we heard at the Transportation Safety Summit that the community wanted us to try an enforcement action during peak travel times.”
Were you one of the people cited? Were you one of the onlookers? If so, what did you think about the event? Do you think it will have any influence on people’s behavior on Williams?