(Riverton, WY) – Members of the Riverton City Council said the jaywalking ordinance they approved on third and final reading this week will make it safer for pedestrians to cross local roadways.
“The idea is to keep people from getting run over,” Councilmember Mike Bailey said. “Our intent is not to go out and find reasons to fine people – it’s to try to encourage people to follow the rules, which are set there for their own protection.”
The new law clarifies “who is responsible for what” when pedestrians cross the street, Councilmember Dean Peranteaux said.
For example, if a pedestrian is using a marked crosswalk, or crossing the street at an intersection, Peranteaux said nearby motorists are responsible “not to run (them) over.”
If a pedestrian crosses the street outside of a crosswalk or intersection, however, Peranteaux said it’s their responsibility “to not impinge traffic.”
“There’s a very delineated distinction,” he said.
He also pointed out that the ordinance doesn’t prohibit pedestrians from crossing the street outside of a crosswalk or intersection.
“You absolutely can,” he said. “But it’s your job as a pedestrian to clear the roadway and not get run over.”
Pedestrian protections
As a habitual pedestrian, Councilmember Kristy Salisbury said she especially appreciates the portion of the ordinance that places the onus on drivers to yield to pedestrians who are crossing the street at a crosswalk or intersection.
The ordinance says “the driver of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian who lawfully enters a marked crosswalk, a crosswalk with traffic control devices, or an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection, until the pedestrian has reached a place of safety.”
“(That) protects people,” Salisbury said, explaining that, “I walk a lot, and (drivers) do not stop at crosswalks when you’re in them.”
She hoped the new law would “remind people that when people are in a crosswalk, you need to stop, because it is a problem – and it’s a big problem.”
Bailey agreed, guessing that, with the new ordinance in place, “there will be as many tickets written to cars that don’t stop for pedestrians as there will be for pedestrians that cause (traffic problems).”
For more information call the City of Riverton at 856-2227.