Be prepared to stop at PU crosswalks

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - No matter what is crossing the street, if it's in a crosswalk, drivers need to be prepared to stop.

Purdue Police Captain of Special Services Eric Chin said for the second year in a row, Purdue and West Lafayette Police will be watching for drivers who don't stop for pedestrians.

"We started a partnership at the beginning of school (last year) where we start with an educational campaign and an enforcement campaign," said Chin.

That campaign produced 100 warnings and five citations in just two weeks. The campaign will be in full-force at the beginning of this school year as well.

"Again this year we're partnering up with the West Lafayette Police Department and will run the same initiative that we did last year," said Chin.

According to current state law, drivers must stop for pedestrians. Chin said the neon signs around campus to warn drivers were set up by West Lafayette Police, not PUPD. Chin said Purdue will be considering installing similar signs in the future and have already taken other precautions.

"Crosswalks have been refreshed with paint. Additional paint has been put down so it's a little more visible," said Chin.

From January until June of this year, five vehicle/pedestrian accidents have been reported. In 2009, there were 13 for the entire year. In 2008, only three were reported the entire year.

Just because there isn't a yield sign at a crosswalk doesn't mean drivers don't have to stop. State law says that if it's painted, and there's no traffic signal, drivers must yield to pedestrians.

"At marked intersections or where there's a traffic control signal, for instance right there at Martin Jischke Drive and State Street, there are signs that say 'walk/don't walk.' Pedestrians have to yield to that automatic signal," said Chin.

Chin added Purdue will be installing four new crosswalks. Three on University Street and one on Grant Street by the student union.