(September 18, 2013) - The Portland Bureau of Transportation and Portland Police Bureau advise the traveling public that a crosswalk enforcement action is scheduled for September 25^th near the Parklane Elementary School in East Portland to raise awareness of pedestrian safety and traffic law and to emphasize safety at the start of the school year.

The enforcement action will be from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. on SE 148^th Avenue andSE Main Street.  The location has pavement markings, signage, and an overhead flashing beacon to help pedestrians cross safely. 

A crosswalk enforcement action is designed to inform the public of longstanding Oregon crosswalk laws.  These actions involve a pedestrian decoy positioned at marked or unmarked crosswalks while police monitor how motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians adhere to traffic safety laws. Drivers who fail to stop for pedestrians in the crosswalk and pedestrians who jaywalk may be issued a warning or citation by the Portland Police Bureau.

This location was selected because of the proximity to Parklane Elementary  School and concerns the City has for pedestrian and driver safety on SE 148^th Avenue.  That area has experienced increased traffic as the population has grown.

The Transportation and Police bureaus remind drivers to be alert and aware of pedestrians as they cross streets, and to be aware of children and parents crossing streets especially near schools, community centers, parks, and other neighborhood facilities.

Learn more about the Transportation Bureau’s safety work at http://www.portlandoregon.gov/transportation/40390 and pedestrian rights and responsibilities at http://www.portlandoregon.gov/transportation/article/435879

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