BETHLEHEM, Pa. — With area schools welcoming students back for classes this week, crosswalks in West Bethlehem are as busy as ever.
And some drivers are paying the price for not yielding to the pedestrian right of way.
Starting around 10 a.m. Thursday, PennDOT's pedestrian education and traffic enforcement operation — comprised of three city motorcycle cops, two “crossers” and a camera placed on a parked car nearby — had pulled over at least six cars by the half-hour mark.
It took place at the intersection of 10th Avenue and West Union Boulevard, which has a crosswalk joining Rose Garden Park with the outskirts of the Nitschmann Middle School property.
A two-way street
It's important for drivers to, first, slow down their speed and to, second, recognize the influx of foot, car and bike travelers that can come with a new school year (and the incoming Labor Day weekend) and adjust accordingly, said PennDOT District 5 Press Officer Sean Brown.
“There are real consequences for not yielding and not respecting pedestrians out there."PennDOT District 5 Press Officer Sean Brown
“There are real consequences for not yielding and not respecting pedestrians out there,” Brown said.
On the other hand, officials agreed Thursday that it's a two-way street and some responsibility also falls on the pedestrian. People should only cross the road while within a crosswalk, pay attention and don’t get distracted by phones in hand, they said.
Brown said there are a number of crosswalk “hot spots” around the city, including locations near schools and along Broad and New streets. Events such as the one Thursday are arranged on a handful of occasions, and mostly for the summer and spring seasons, he added.
A 'culture change' on the roads
William Audelo, traffic and school safety lieutenant with Bethlehem Police Department, said a "culture change" is needed on the roadways to better keep students safe when they’re moving to and from school.
“We, as the city of Bethlehem — residents, government, everybody that utilizes our city roadways — have to be on the same plane,” Audelo said. “We need to understand that when you see these crosswalks, we can’t get complacent.”
“ … Whether you have kids in school now, you had them a couple years ago, you have them in the future — we want to make sure they’re getting to and from school safely.”
“Whether you have kids in school now, you had them a couple years ago, you have them in the future — we want to make sure they’re getting to and from school safely.”William Audelo, traffic and school safety lieutenant with Bethlehem Police Department
Not yielding to someone in a crosswalk could start with a $25 fine, but other fees like court costs, he said, can run the total upwards of $200. You also should expect officers to check on your registration and inspections status if you’re pulled over, Audelo added.
On the topic of speeding, Pennsylvania happens to be the only state nationwide where municipal police officers aren't allowed to use radar guns for speed detection.
For now, and pending moves from state legislators, Audello said BPD officers use a stopwatch and pre-painted lines instead.
Join the conversation
To be part of the community discussion around traffic and pedestrian safety, the Citizen’s Traffic Advisory Committee meets next on Oct. 1, according to the city’s website.
The event on Thursday was a joint effort between PennDOT District 5, Bethlehem police and health departments and Lehigh Valley Health Network.
It was announced in December that Bethlehem would be getting nearly $10 million for 1.5 miles of safety and roadway improvements along the West Broad Street corridor, which is just two blocks south of the intersection mentioned above. The plan calls for protected bike lanes, intersection investments and broader public transportation offerings.
Broad Street’s eastern end is slated for a half-mile of improvements with just north of $1 million at play. Those upgrades include ADA ramp upgrades, curb bump-outs, pedestrian islands and re-striped crosswalks.
