Police stepping up pedestrian safety

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - Pedestrian safety is on the minds of those in West Lafayette as the start of the Purdue school year creeps up.

On August 24 West Lafayette and Purdue Police will step up pedestrian safety.

While pedestrian traffic will increase with the start of the Purdue school year, people who live in West Lafayette year round said added safety is needed for them, too.

"A lot of drivers do not observe the pedestrian has the right of way even when that little white sign that says 'Pedestrian Crossing' is lit," said pedestrian Jan Myers.

"Since I do a lot of walking around here it would be nice if the pedestrians had a little bit higher priority compared to motor vehicles," said pedestrian Jim Bethel.

Pedestrians like Bethel say walking around town can be dangerous.

"Once in a while as a pedestrian you have to play chicken with somebody who wants to get through the intersection quickly," said Bethel.

And that's a game no pedestrian wants to play.

"It is pit of your stomach, stop quickly enough to not lose the toes or something," Myer said.

"There's actually some signage that is in place, that will be in place and then also some crossings in the roadway that will be ready by that day," said West Lafayette police chief Jason Dombkowski.

Dombkowski said Purdue and West Lafayette police are joining up on August 24 to make a safer environment for pedestrians.

"We're gonna start off with some block crossings both near he campus area and in the village area," he said.

Pollice will ticket drivers who don't follow the right of way rules, but pedestrians need to obey crossing laws as well.

"Any pedestrian is not supposed to be crossing when the signal is not proper," said Myer.

Dombkowski said police will be at some problem intersections on August 24th, ensuring pedestrian safety.

He said last year there was one fatal accident in a cross walk and another serious injury.

He wants to make sure that doesn't happen this year.