Pittsburgh Police Target Pedestrian Accidents

February 2009

Police officers and PennDOT are working together to improve pedestrian safety in Pittsburgh. Officers have set up checkpoints throughout Allegheny County to crack down on drivers and pedestrians who violate pedestrian traffic laws.

Checkpoint locations will constantly change to encourage consistent observation of the law throughout the region. However, officials are paying particular attention to Oakland due to the number of University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon students who walk to class. During a recent two-hour checkpoint at the crosswalk on Bigelow Boulevard, officers issued 33 citations and 14 warnings.

The program is part of Drive Safe PA, a campaign targeting impaired, aggressive, and unbelted driving. A driver caught breaking crosswalk laws faces a fine of $250 and pedestrians face an $80 fine. In 2007, 10 Allegheny County residents died in pedestrian accidents and 141 people were injured. There were 4,600 pedestrians hit statewide, leading to 155 deaths.