Who has the right-of-way at crosswalks in California? Wrong, not you in the car who's in a hurry... The pedestrian does!

Simi Valley Acorn - Crosswalk sting nets 50 offenders in less than three hours

"Simi Valley Police Department's Traffic Unit issued a total of 50 citations and warnings to drivers during a concentrated traffic enforcement detail at Cochran Street near Vista Elementary School on March 19.

The sting, which took place at the intersection of Cochran and Heather streets, was an effort for police to evaluate public concerns about pedestrian safety and speed violations at the site.

Sgt. Jeff Malgren said the location was chosen for its proximity to the elementary school and because it's one of the few remaining un-signalized and un-controlled intersections in the city where there are painted crosswalks.

"All intersections, regardless of whether they have controls, are equally designated as crosswalks and are equally enforceable," Malgren said. "We knew there was a higher traffic volume on Cochran Street, but the number of violators was far beyond my expectations

...

The civilian decoy, who wore no distinguishing clothing, crossed Cochran Street several times during the operation. About 10 other pedestrians also crossed the street during the time period, Malgren said.

Citations were issued to 44 drivers, and six written warnings were given for violation of the pedestrian decoy's right-of-way. At least three of the citations were issued to drivers who failed to stop next to vehicles that had already yielded to the pedestrian.

The officers also impounded four vehicles and arrested one 27year-old Simi Valley resident for driving without a license.

Malgren said the police department plans to repeat the operation in various other locations throughout the city in the near future"

There's a crosswalk by our house, that my son uses to get to school, where this is a horrible issue, that is an person-vs-car accident waiting to happen. We've been contacting the local school and agencies to try to get something done to help the issue for years.

And the City and school have indeed tried, but it's still an issue. The City has put up new signs and the school has highlighted it in their newsletter. But that has had little to no affect.

People driving down the street just don't seem to care that there's a kid in the crosswalk, trying to get to the other side of the street. We have pictures of some this... It's pretty hairy when you see a car cross to the other, opposing traffic, side of the street to zoom around a car that stopped to let someone use the crosswalk.

I think it's the basic carelessness of the drivers that gets to me. Are you (we) really in that much of a hurry?

sigh...

Anyway, I think it's great the City and Simi Valley PD are taking steps to educate local drivers, probably in the only way that will take, by ticketing them.

Look, it's simple. If there's a pedestrian in a crosswalk THEY HAVE THE RIGHT OF WAY. Be polite and let them cross... please.