MADISON POLICE STING DRIVERS WHO DON'T STOP

According to WSJ, Madison police have set up a sting on May 11, 2010 to help drivers stop for pedestrians in downtown Madison. In 40 minutes over a dozen drivers were given warnings for failing to stop.



Various Wisconsin laws apply to pedestrians in the crosswalks including 346.23(1):
(1) At an intersection or crosswalk where traffic is controlled by traffic control signals or by a traffic officer, the operator of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian, or to a person who is riding a bicycle or electric personal assistive mobility device in a manner which is consistent with the safe use of the crosswalk by pedestrians, who has started to cross the highway on a green or "Walk" signal and in all other cases pedestrians, bicyclists, and riders of electric personal assistive mobility devices shall yield the right-of-way to vehicles lawfully proceeding directly ahead on a green signal. No operator of a vehicle proceeding ahead on a green signal may begin a turn at a controlled intersection or crosswalk when a pedestrian, bicyclist, or rider of an electric personal assistive mobility device crossing in the crosswalk on a green or "Walk" signal would be endangered or interfered with in any way. The rules stated in this subsection are modified at intersections or crosswalks on divided highways or highways provided with safety zones in the manner and to the extent stated in sub. (2).

346.37 (1)(a)1 holding: vehicular traffic shall yield the right of way to other vehicles and to pedestrians lawfully within the intersection or an adjacent crosswalk...." and

346.34(1)(a)3 hodling the operaator of a vehicle shall yield the right of way to a pedestrian, or to a person who is riding a bicycle....in a manner which is consistent with the safe use of the crosswalk by pedestrians...

Of course there are about 50 comments related to the WSJ article of people fighting over what the law means and who is right. I stop my car for pedestrians and bicylists whenever I see them waiting to cross the road-especially children. I also watch for oncoming traffic to stop for kids and honk my horn if a child is crossing and it looks like another car is coming from the other way. This is done out of courtsey for people who are walking and biking, not because it is the law.