EXETER TOWNSHIP, Pa. – Police and PennDOT are urging drivers, cyclists, runners, and walkers to be alert as temperatures rise and more people head out for the spring and summer.
Exeter Township Police just wrapped up an enforcement for pedestrian safety, issuing citations and reminders for violations.
Police say safety is a two-way street.
Drivers are required to yield once the pedestrian begins to step into the crosswalk.
“Those pedestrians do have a responsibility to look before they step out into the crosswalk,” said Sgt. David Bentz. “One of the things we talk about is once that foot hits the macadam, once the foot is on the blacktop, at that point the driver has to yield to that pedestrian until they’re across the street – not just in front of them.”
In Exeter Township, police say a woman was killed and another seriously hurt when a truck hit them in the Boscov’s parking lot in February.
“The motorist in particular, in this particular crash, it was on video. The motorist didn’t stop when he got to the end of an aisle and made a left turn and hit those two victims,” said Bentz.
He says minimizing distractions and staying aware both on foot and behind the wheel make a huge difference.
“On June 5th we start writing citations for Paul Miller’s Law violations and that’s in Pennsylvania; you’re not going to be able to hold a cell phone while driving anymore.”