INC NEWS - HS: Town baffled as 3rd person is struck, killed by vehicle

[bragin@nc.rr.com]

UNC police have started a safety program for pedestrians that involves 
educating both drivers and pedestrians, said spokesman Randy Young. 
They're focusing on pedestrians who cross streets outside of crosswalks 
or against the light and impede traffic.

Last Wednesday, police began issuing verbal warnings. Next Wednesday, 
the officers will begin giving written warnings. Two weeks after that, 
they'll begin issuing citations that will cost the pedestrian $135 in 
fines and court costs. 

"We hope we don't have to issue a single citation," Young said.

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They should also be issuing citations to drivers who fail to yield to 
pedestrians in crosswalks, as state law provides. If pedestrians are 
allowed to feel safe and secure in the knowledge that their presence in 
a crosswalk is protected, then why would there be any incentive to 
cross busy streets elsewhere?

I'm sure there are people on this list who have lived in other parts of 
the country where both pedestrian precedence and jaywalking ordinances 
are enforced. Considering that in a pedestrian/vehicle interaction the 
pedestrian is always going to come out the worst, there's nothing wrong 
with writing an ordinance that says, within city limits, pedestrians 
always have the right of way.

Unless of course, your object is not to save lives.

barry ragin