The Ashland Police Department has carried out targeted enforcement at several busy crosswalks in the town. This initiative is part of a broader effort to raise awareness and improve safety for both pedestrians and drivers.
According to Virginia law, drivers are required to yield to pedestrians who are already in the crosswalk. Pedestrians also have responsibilities, such as stopping at the curb, looking both ways before crossing, pressing the button for the flashing beacon if one is available, and only entering the crosswalk when it is safe.
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) provides several recommendations for pedestrian safety. These include following all signals and signs, using sidewalks and crosswalks whenever possible, looking left, right, then left again before crossing, making eye contact with drivers before stepping into the street, pressing the flashing beacon button if available, avoiding distractions like phones or earbuds, wearing bright or reflective clothing at night, and walking facing traffic if there is no sidewalk.
For drivers, NHTSA advises staying alert for pedestrians at all times, slowing down near crosswalks, yielding to people already in the crosswalk, never passing a vehicle stopped at a crosswalk since someone might be crossing, using extra caution in poor weather or low-light conditions, not driving impaired, obeying speed limits especially near schools and neighborhoods, and checking carefully before backing up or turning.
“Safety starts with all of us. Thank you for doing your part to make Ashland’s streets safer for everyone who walks, rolls, or drives,” stated the Ashland Police Department.
