BRATTLEBORO — As part of the town's diverse efforts to improve pedestrian safety, the Police Department will conduct additional enforcement of pedestrian travel and motor vehicle laws.
Officers will be stopping both vehicles and pedestrians and will initially issue warnings. In the following weeks, and in the case of egregious violations, tickets will be issued as appropriate.
The public is advised of the following state laws and town ordinances:
• If a pedestrian is not crossing at a crosswalk, then vehicular traffic has the right of way.
• A vehicle may not pass or travel around another vehicle that has stopped at a crosswalk.
• Vehicles must yield to pedestrians in crosswalks.
• Pedestrians who intend to cross at controlled intersections must obey traffic control signals.
• It is unlawful to cross Main Street at any location other than a crosswalk.
• Pedestrians must walk in sidewalks. If there is no sidewalk, they must walk on the left side of the road facing oncoming traffic.
The following additional safety measures for pedestrians are recommended by police:
• Pedestrians should wear light-colored or reflective clothing.
• Pedestrians should not step into a roadway to cross unless they have made positive eye contact with the drivers of any oncoming vehicles and have confirmed that they are going to stop, or unless they have made sure that no cars are coming.
• Pedestrians should never cross a road at curves, hill crests, or other areas with reduced vehicle visibility.
• Upon approaching a crosswalk or intersection, vehicle operators should assume that there will be a pedestrian nearby and slow down and be prepared to stop accordingly.
• When driving on roads where pedestrians frequently walk, drivers should vigilantly look for people who are preparing to cross the roadway.