The Chapel Hill Police Department announced plans to step up pedestrian safety enforcement in the wake of several recent incidents that have raised concerns among residents.

“The numerous incidents in our community, including several very serious ones in recent weeks, are simply unacceptable and entirely preventable,” Chapel Hill Police Chief Chris Blue said in a public statement. “Drivers have a responsibility to be mindful of their fellow community members and we want to be clear to all: if you fail to yield for pedestrians and cyclists, you will be charged.”

As part of the enhanced enforcement, on-duty CHPD officers will conduct pedestrian safety operations daily. Off-duty officers will also be involved, conducting three operations a day, five days per week.

In addition, there will be “widespread operations” twice weekly, funded by a state-level grant from the Governor’s Highway Safety Program. Those operations will involve four off-duty officers covering several areas over a four-hour period.

These additional enforcement efforts are on top of previously-planned enforcement operations. Click here for a list of scheduled traffic-safety initiatives in the town of Chapel Hill.

One of the main punishments for drivers who do not let people safely cross streets is failure to yield to a pedestrian. Chief Blue says drivers cited for failing to yield could be subject to penalties including a $100 fine, $201 in court costs, and driver’s license points. They may also face the risk of higher insurance rates and civil lawsuits.

Enforcement operations will focus on streets with a high propensity for crashes, including MLK Boulevard (NC-86), Fordham Boulevard (US-15/501), Franklin Street, Raleigh Road (NC-54), and Estes Drive. Estes Drive was the site of a crash on New Year’s Eve that sent two Phillips Middle School students to the hospital with serious injuries.

In the last year, town officials say 16 pedestrians have been struck by drivers in Chapel Hill while in crosswalks. In October, the Town Council adopted a “Vision Zero” resolution, pledging to eliminate such incidents, but the rash of collisions has not yet abated.

 

Photo via the Town of Chapel Hill.

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