Multnomah County Sheriff's Deputies to Perform Crosswalk Safety Operation
The focus of this detail is to raise pedestrian safety awareness of drivers and pedestrians through education and enforcement of pedestrian right of way laws.
(WOOD VILLAGE, Ore. ) — The Multnomah County Sheriff's Office will commence "Operation Undercover Crossing" on Monday from 8:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.
Monday's operation will take place at the intersections of NE 230th Court and NE Halsey in the City of Wood Village. This will be the second of two pedestrian safety enforcement missions conducted by the Sheriff's Office this summer.
The focus of this detail is to raise pedestrian safety awareness of drivers and pedestrians through education and enforcement of pedestrian right of way laws. Both pedestrians and drivers will be observed during this mission.
Approximately 75 percent of motor vehicle - pedestrian car crashes are due to driver miscalculations when yielding to a pedestrian crossing the street. In 2012, 18 of the state's 61 pedestrian fatalities occurred in Multnomah County and the death toll rose to 61 from 46 pedestrian fatalities in 2011.
In 2012, 4,743 people were killed in pedestrian/motor vehicle crashes, more than 12 people every day of the year (NHTSA Traffic Safety Facts). Though the number of pedestrian fatalities fell from 4,901 in 2001 to 4,743 in 2012, there were 76,000 reported pedestrian injuries in 2012; nearly one injury every 7 minutes.
According to Oregon law, drivers are required to stop for a pedestrian trying to cross in a crosswalk until the pedestrian reaches the sidewalk, or is at least one lane past the lane where the driver has stopped. Failing to stop or remain stopped for a pedestrian in a crosswalk is a Class B traffic violation punishable by a fine of $260.
Passing a vehicle stopped at a pedestrian crosswalk is also a Class B traffic violation, also punishable by a fine of $260.
Funding from Oregon Walks and the Oregon Department of Transportation has made Operation Undercover Crossing possible.
Source: Multnomah County Sheriff's Office
