Pedestrian Barriers at Intersections

[Spartan]

I'll settle for installing better crosswalks first.

We need more mid-block crossings downtown

[Just the facts]

We need more mid-block crossings downtown

Did you have any specific locations in mind?

I though about that in the past but there are a couple of problems with it. You lose 2 to 4 on-street parking spaces, it works best in areas where speeds are under 20 mph, and it would be a challenge to install signage where drivers could see it in time to stop safely.

[rcjunkie]

I noticed that Automobile Alley doen't even have defined crosswalks unless you count the brick pavers that actually cover the entire intersection .

Do people honestly need identified crosswalks. My 3 year old granddaughrter knows you only cross at an intersection.

[Double Edge]

There are more than just rules...and they are different depending on marking.

As with vehicles, pedestrians are also subject to traffic regulations. The State of Oklahoma, under Title 47, specifically addresses the laws that pedestrians must abide by to avoid being injured in an auto/pedestrian accident.
(47 O.S. 11-501 a.) Pedestrians shall obey the instructions of any official traffic control device specifically applicable to him/her, unless otherwise directed by a police officer."

Pedestrians Right of Way in Crosswalks

(47 O.S. 11-502 a.) When traffic control signals are not in place, or not in operation, the driver of a vehicle must yield the right of way, either by slowing down or stopping, if need be to do so yield, to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within a crosswalk when the pedestrian is upon the half of the roadway upon which the vehicle is traveling, or when the pedestrian is approaching so closely from the opposite half of the roadway as to be in danger.

(47 O.S. 11-502 b.) No pedestrian shall suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety and walk or run into the path of a vehicle which is so close that it is impossible for the driver to yield.

(47 O.S. 11-502 d.) Whenever any vehicle is stopped at a marked crosswalk or at any unmarked crosswalk at an intersection to permit a pedestrian to cross the roadway, the driver of any other vehicle approaching from the rear shall not overtake and pass such stopped vehicle.

Pedestrian Crossing at other than Crosswalk

(47 O.S. 11-503 a) Every pedestrian crossing a roadway at any point other than within a marked crosswalk or within an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection shall yield the right of way to all vehicles upon the roadway.

(47 O.S. 503 c.) Between adjacent intersections at which traffic-control signals are in operation pedestrians shall not cross at any place except in a marked crosswalk.

Where to Walk in a Crosswalk

(47 O.S. 11-505 ) Pedestrians shall move, whenever practicable, upon the right half of crosswalks.

Pedestrians on Roadways

(47 O.S. 11-506 a. ) Where sidewalks are provided, it shall be unlawful for any pedestrian to walk along and upon an adjacent roadway.

(47 O.S. 11-506 b.) Where sidewalks are not provided, any pedestrian walking along and upon a highway shall, when practicable, walk only on the left side of the roadway or its shoulder facing traffic which may approach from the opposite direction and shall yield to approaching vehicles.

http://www.ouhsc.edu/police/Personal...edestrians.asp