(June 30, 2016) – The Portland Bureau of Transportation and Portland Police Bureau will conduct a crosswalk safety education and enforcement action on Wednesday, July 6 at the marked crossing on NE Sandy Boulevard at NE 85th Avenue to raise awareness of pedestrian safety and Oregon traffic laws.
Education and enforcement actions such as the July 6 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.
Sandy Boulevard is one of Portland’s 10 designated high crash corridors. This location has bus stops on both sides of the street and is within close proximity to businesses, restaurants, a senior living facility and The Grotto, a prominent destination for 300,000 visitors annually.
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 Wednesday’s action. The exact time will be announced the day before.
PBOT encourages everyone who uses NE Sandy Boulevard to exercise care and caution when walking, biking and driving. People driving and people walking should remain alert and people driving should watch for people in the crossing.
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