On Monday, August 16th, 2021 from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM, the Medford Police Department will be conducting a “Targeted Pedestrian Safety Enforcement Operation” on N Columbus Avenue at 2ndStreet. The operation will focus on drivers failing to yield the right of way to pedestrians in the crosswalk.
These operations are to raise pedestrian safety awareness through enforcement of pedestrian right of way laws with the use of a decoy pedestrian operation at targeted locations. Violators may be cited for failure to stop and remain stopped for a pedestrian in a marked or unmarked crosswalk or passing a stopped vehicle at a marked or unmarked crosswalk. Both violations carry a presumptive fine of $265.00. Drivers should be reminded there is a crosswalk at every intersection, regardless if it is marked or unmarked. This location is within a designated school zone where speeds are posted 20 MPH. Fine amounts double for traffic violations that occur within a school zone.
Drivers are reminded of the Oregon laws that require a driver must stop and remain stopped if a pedestrian is walking in your lane of traffic or the lane adjacent, remembering this applies on single and multi-lane roadways. Oregon law also prohibits passing a stopped vehicle at a marked or unmarked crosswalk at an intersection if the vehicle is stopped to permit a pedestrian to cross the roadway.
