Oct. 19, 2006 Department of Transportation
Commonwealth News Bureau
Room 308, Main Capitol
Harrisburg, PA 17120
CONTACT: Alison Wenger
(717) 783-8800
PENNDOT URGES MOTORISTS, PEDESTRIANS TO KEEP SAFETY IN MIND
State Law Requires Motorists to Yield to Pedestrians in Marked Crosswalks, at Intersections
HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation today reminded motorists that they are required by law to yield to pedestrians using marked crosswalks or any unmarked crosswalk at an intersection.
PennDOT is producing and distributing fluorescent yellow/green “Yield to Pedestrians” crosswalk signs as part of an ongoing effort to promote pedestrian safety and reduce fatalities.
“These signs are designed to remind motorists to always keep pedestrian safety in mind,” said PennDOT Secretary Allen D. Biehler, P.E. “Too often, drivers are in a hurry and don’t remember to stop and let someone cross the road.”
Since 2001, PennDOT has distributed more than 3,000 portable, free-standing crosswalk signs to municipalities across the state. The signs are provided to municipalities that either have an area with a high car/pedestrian crash history, or roadways that are difficult to cross because motorists fail to yield.
Pennsylvania law states when traffic signals are either not present or not operating, motorists must yield to pedestrians within a marked crosswalk or any unmarked crosswalk at an intersection. Violators of the law are subject to a $50 fine.
According to PennDOT, roughly one in 10 fatalities on Pennsylvania roadways last year involved a pedestrian. Of the 1,616 fatalities reported last year, 162 were pedestrians.
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Editor’s Note: Below is a chart listing the number of pedestrian fatalities statewide since 2000.
|
Year |
Pedestrian Fatalities |
|
2000 |
172 |
|
2001 |
195 |
|
2002 |
157 |
|
2003 |
175 |
|
2004 |
151 |
|
2005 |
162 |