Crosswalk Safety Awareness Day set for Oct. 14

The 6th Annual Crosswalk Safety Awareness Day is fast approaching will take place here in Fayetteville on Wednesday, Oct. 14, from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.

The event is put together to raise awareness that it is both a state and a city law that a motorist must yield to pedestrians in a crosswalk. Additionally, it aims to remind pedestrians to look both ways and make sure that cars are going to stop before entering the crosswalk.

“Safety is a number one priority of this city, and crosswalk safety should be in the forefront of all driver and pedestrian’s minds,” said Mayor Lioneld Jordan. “This day will help encourage that awareness.”

Crosswalk Safety Awareness Day is sponsored by the Community Policing Division of the Fayetteville Police Department and was inspired by participation in both the first Fayetteville Citizen’s Police and Fire Academies. Both the University of Arkansas Police Department and the Fayetteville Police Department have noted that the event has made a difference in increasing awareness and aiding the safety of both pedestrians and motorists.

According to a release issued by the City of Fayetteville, there is an ongoing focus on intersections and crosswalks that need attention in addition to this annual event. The biggest physical contribution was the mutual efforts that led to the new stop signals and crosswalks at the intersection on the southwest corner of the Fayetteville High School campus.

Crosswalk Safety Awareness Day is an event open to groups to sponsor a crosswalk. For information about sponsoring a crosswalk or information related to crosswalk safety or Crosswalk Safety Awareness Day, contact Paula Marinoni at 444-6170.

[Photo by splorp via Flickr and Creative Commons 2.0.]