By Tandy Versyp
Last week the Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police department held a Crosswalk Awareness and Enforcement campaign. According to Gene Harley, the SCMPD Public Information Officer, it is an ongoing push.
“We will be aggressively enforce crosswalk laws,” Harley said.
“I guess it’s a good thing,” said Marissa Mare, a fourth-year graphic design major. “I just don’t think they’ll be able to enforce it.”
Harley assures the contrary.
“Officers dressed in plain clothes will be ticketing violators. Tickets will range from $145 to $208,” he said. But what exactly is proper, ticket-free crosswalk etiquette?
“It’s all about courtesy,” Harley said.
The first part is simple. Cars are required to stop for pedestrians in crosswalks. However, pedestrians cannot dart out in front of cars and expect them to stop immediately. If a crosswalk is not governed by a stoplight, pedestrians must make sure oncoming cars are at least a block and a half away before crossing. Although a block and a half can be relative in downtown Savannah with its squares, common sense should be a factor in judging whether or not to cross. Also, if there is a designated crosswalk nearby, walkers must use it. Officers will be ticketing motorists as well as pedestrians.
Joggers must be exceptionally careful. It is easy to forget courtesy when on a runner’s high.
If you do receive a ticket, Harley warned, “Arguing with an officer is not appropriate. That’s what court is for,” specifically directing this statement toward SCAD students.
SCMPD will focus mainly on the historic district—north of Anderson Street—which is the area of Savannah with the most foot traffic and a lot of SCAD student traffic.
However, Holly Henderson, a fourth-year Metals and Jewelry major, thinks the police should also monitor the crosswalk in front of Arnold Hall.
“I’ve almost been hit many times on my way to class,” she said. “What’s worse is that it’s other SCAD students. I know they have to get to class, but so do I. Alive.”
