Flagpole Intersection—

Police Monitor Main Street Crosswalks

For Vehicular Violators

During a crosswalk enforcement project last week, police issued eight infractions to motorists who did not yield the right of way to pedestrians at crosswalks on Main Street. Such an infraction carries a $75 fine. Infractions are appealable in court.

“The traffic unit took a proactive step to remind drivers of the state laws related to crosswalks and encourage voluntary compliance with all traffic laws,” according to Lieutenant George Sinko, who oversees police operations.

Police did the crosswalk enforcement project at various times during June 10 at the flagpole intersection of Main Street and Church Hill Road. That busy intersection has a high accident rate. The intersection has five legs: Main Street extending to the north and the south; Church Hill Road extending to the east, and the westbound and eastbound legs of West Street extending to the west.

Lt Sinko said that a motorist is required by state law to stop and yield to a pedestrian who is standing in the entrance to a crosswalk or who is in the process of crossing the street in a crosswalk.

The lieutenant added that pedestrians who cross a roadway at a marked crosswalk that is controlled by a pedestrian crossing signal may only cross the street when that crossing signal directs them to cross.

During the enforcement project, police also issued nine other violations, including: having darkly tinted automotive glass without a permit, traveling too fast for conditions, improper display of a marker plate, passing on the right, driving without a license, and failure to obey a police officer’s signal to stop.

Police plan to conduct more crosswalk enforcement projects at the flagpole intersection, as well other locations.  

In response to public calls for better traffic control on Main Street, police are having their traffic enforcement unit increase its efforts on the thoroughfare.

Police Chief Michael Kehoe has said that police plan to be more visible in enforcing motor vehicle laws along the heavily traveled road whose focal point is the Main Street flagpole intersection where many traffic accidents occur.