Santa Monica police step up crosswalk monitoring--for a day

Santa Monica police will be out in greater force than usual on Thursday to remind drivers that pedestrians have the right of way in crosswalks and at intersections. 

All vehicles, including bicycles, must stop and yield the right of way to those on foot who are legally within a crosswalk. Offending drivers might be subject to a citation, according to Sgt. Jay Trisler, a spokesman for the Police Department.

--Martha Groves

Comments

[Anonymous]

It's embarrassing to see the LA Times repeat unchallenged the opinions of misinformed police officers.

California law (Vehicle Code section 21950) requires only that motorists yield the right of way to pedstrians in crosswalks; the vehicle need not be stopped if the pedestrian can proceed safely, as the appellate case law makes even more clear.

[AH]

Anonymous, I hardly think it is misinformed or accidental. I think it's because it is a cash-cow and they can do it. I am certain the authors of the law did not intend for all crosswalks on Wilshire boulevard to be empty before someone makes a right turn on red. However, that little detail will not stop a city like Santa Monica from giving a ticket. If you enter one end of a 100 foot crosswalk when the person crossing is on the opposite end, well, good luck fighting that one in court. Sure the appellate court might agree, but how much will it cost you to prove it?

[Gary K.]

Awesome, I'm glad to hear this. Far too often drivers do not yield and pedestrians are forced to run across crosswalks like deer who have spotted a wolf. I hope they hand out lots of citations and send a clear message.

[RA]

So how about a sting to catch all those jaywalkers on Montana Av, Wilshire Bl, Santa Monica Bl, 4th St etc, etc, etc???????

[NL]

I was traveling on Pico. Stopped. The ped. entered the crosswalk, crossed the
2 lanes on my side and was almost( the officer stated "I should have waited 1 more second for them to cross the 3rd line -into the 4th lane) before I moved.
I made a face as if "what is he crazy." I stopped and waited with no one else on the
landing on either side and they were almost in the 4th lane on the other side of the road. He said the laws have changed and I should have known that? I said,
I looked straight at him, and made eye contact, etc before I even drove off. Trying to fight this ticket. I stop @ crosswalks, I have sm children in strollers &
I know the dangers.