San Mateo Crosswalk Sting Nets Over 60 Citations: Cops

SAN MATEO, CA — An ongoing San Mateo crosswalk sting has netted over 60 citations, police said.

Most of the citations have been for failing to yield to a pedestrian, the San Mateo Police Department said on its Facebook page.

The operation aims to promote pedestrian safety, the agency said.

“The SMPD Traffic Division has been conducting Pedestrian Safety Operations in various areas of the city,” the agency said.

“The intent of this is to educate drivers on the importance of yielding to pedestrians in the roadway.”

The agency lists safety recommendations below.

Recommendations for drivers:

• You too are pedestrians at various times of the day and become upset when drivers do not yield for you. Pay it back when driving so we may all cross the street safely.
• Know when you are approaching an intersection. They are easy to spot. This would be the area a pedestrian could be crossing.
• Slow down. There is no rush when operating a motor vehicle.

Recommendations for pedestrians:

• Please be aware when crossing the road. Do not be looking down at your phone. If a diver does miss seeing you in a crosswalk you need to be aware of your surroundings.
• The red hand on pedestrian crossing signals means STOP…. DO NOT CROSS, even if the traffic light is green. The hand is for you, the light is for the driver. The Traffic Officers will cite pedestrians for this violation.
• Do not sprint across crosswalks to beat the pedestrian crossing count down. Please walk. There is a reason it is there. Drivers are looking for walkers. If you can’t cross in time then wait in line. It will cycle back again I promise.