News Advisory: Crosswalk education and enforcement action planned for SE 82nd Avenue at SE Cooper on Tuesday, April 26

(April 25, 2016) – The Portland Bureau of Transportation and Portland Police Bureau will conduct a crosswalk safety education and enforcement action on Tuesday, April 26 at the unmarked crossing on SE 82^nd Avenue at SE Cooper Street from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to raise awareness of pedestrian safety and Oregon traffic laws.

Education and enforcement actions such as the April 26 event are a key part of the City of Portland’s citywide effort to reach its Vision Zero goal of eliminating traffic fatalities and serious injuries.

Under Oregon law, EVERY intersection is a legal crosswalk whether it is marked or unmarked.  People driving must stop and stay stopped for people walking when the pedestrian is in the travel lane or the adjacent lane.

The SE 82nd Avenue and SE Cooper Street crossing has no painted lines at the crosswalk. It does have a pedestrian median island and signage to alert drivers to the possible presence of people walking in the crossing.  

Southeast 82nd Avenue is one of 10 High Crash Corridors that the transportation bureau has prioritized for stepped up education, enforcement and safety improvements.

Each crosswalk enforcement action involves a designated pedestrian crossing at a marked or unmarked crosswalk while police monitor how people driving, bicycling and walking adhere to traffic safety laws. Drivers who fail to stop for pedestrians in the crosswalk and pedestrians who fail to follow Oregon traffic laws may be issued a warning or citation.  A Portland police officer will serve as the designated pedestrian crossing the street during Tuesday’s action.

PBOT encourages everyone who uses 82^nd Avenue to exercise care and caution when walking, biking and driving. People driving and people walking should remain alert and watch for people in the crossing and drivers who may be turning onto or from 82^nd Avenue. 

Crosswalk education and enforcement actions are an effective way to communicate traffic laws to people driving and walking. The transportation and police bureaus do education and enforcement actions throughout the year in response to requests by community members, city traffic safety engineers, and Portland Police to educate the general public on the rules at marked and unmarked crossings.

Learn more about rights and responsibilities for walking safely across a street. View the results of previous actions. Find out more about PBOT’s safety work and Vision Zero, PBOT’s goal of making our transportation system the safest possible and moving towards zero traffic-related fatalities and serious injuries by 2025. www.visionzeroportland.com.

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The Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) is the steward of the City’s transportation system, and a community partner in shaping a livable city. We plan, build, manage and maintain an effective and safe transportation system that provides access and mobility. www.portlandoregon.gov/transportation                  

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