Over Two Dozen Citations Issued During Crosswalk Safety Enforcement Project

Des Moines, Iowa- Thursday, January 22, 2024 - Since 2023, 12 pedestrians have been struck by vehicles and killed in Des Moines, and several others have been injured. Many were simply trying to cross a street.

Safety is essential to having walkable neighborhoods, and marked crosswalks are an important support measure for pedestrians. Two simple things need to happen for them to be effective: vehicles need to yield to pedestrians within the crosswalk, and pedestrians need to use the crosswalk.

Through Vision Zero, the City of Des Moines has invested in implementing HAWK crossings, curb bumpouts, retroreflective backplates, and roundabouts throughout the city, with the goal of improving safety for everyone on the roadway. While their implementation has made a notable impact in improving traffic safety, the biggest impact comes from people following the rules of the road.

Yesterday, during an Iowa Governor's Traffic Safety Bureau-supported project, officers with the Traffic Unit focused on violators failing to yield to pedestrians at crosswalks near Drake University and on Ingersoll Avenue.

In two hours, 28 citations were issued, 22 of which were for vehicles failing to yield to pedestrians.

Enforcement will be repeated at various times throughout this year.

Contact
Paul Parizek
Public Information Officer, Des Moines Police Department
[email protected]

About the City of Des Moines
The City of Des Moines is Iowa's capital city and our 17 departments serve more than 214,000 residents and 46 neighborhood associations. Des Moines is a leader in sustainability and provides its residents with vibrant neighborhoods, an alive and active downtown, and abundant leisure opportunities.
Des Moines continuously improves neighborhoods, public safety and quality of life by offering exceptional city services and reliable infrastructure while fostering an involved and compassionate community for all who visit and live in Des Moines.
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