City, Purdue again undertake enforcement campaign aimed at pedestrian safety
Purdue Police Capt. Eric Chin and West Lafayette Police Capt. Chris Leroux represent a joint effort by the two departments to enhance pedestrian safety on campus. The officers are standing by a pedestrian warning sign on Northwestern Avenue by the Visitor Information Center. (Purdue University photo/Mark Simons)
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Purdue and the city of West Lafayette will ramp up efforts on pedestrian safety with the addition of four new crosswalks and plans for another educational enforcement campaign.
Over the last two years, nine crosswalks have been added on or near campus as part of a joint effort to help ensure pedestrian safety. The city has added four crosswalks just in time for the start of this academic year.
"We're looking for ways to make the near campus area safer for pedestrians. Adding crosswalk locations helps provide a safe and legal place to cross that are recognizable by both the pedestrian and the motorist," said Dave Buck, West Lafayette city engineer.
Just as with the start of the last academic year, Purdue and West Lafayette police departments will participate in an enforcement campaign from Aug. 23 to Sept. 3, coinciding with the start of Purdue classes. Message boards have been placed at key locations to alert motorists about new crosswalks in areas of high pedestrian traffic. While police can warn or cite pedestrians for jaywalking, the campaign will emphasize increasing motorists' awareness of the crossing points and of the laws pertaining to crosswalks, said Capt. Chris Leroux of the West Lafayette Police Department.
"Our priority is to keep the campus community safe, and one of the best ways to do that is to mitigate the risks associated with foot, bicycle and vehicular traffic," said Purdue police Capt. Eric Chin. "When people follow the rules of the road, the potential for accidents is significantly lowered."
The four newly added crosswalks are at:
* First and University streets
* Second and University streets
* Fifth and University streets
* On Grant Street, just east of the Purdue Memorial Union
"These locations were studied and selected based on several factors such as pedestrian volume, nearby pedestrian destinations, traffic volume and the number of traffic lanes," Buck said. "Over the next two to three years, additional locations and crosswalk treatments will be implemented throughout the city."
During last year's educational enforcement campaign, 100 warnings and five tickets were issued. The cost of a ticket can range from $35 to $150.
"Personally, I did notice that more pedestrians and motorists were better educated and in compliance after last year's campaign," Chin said. "I still see violations, but I also notice drivers stopping for pedestrians more than in the past. We just need to keep a strong educational program so that more people will use and abide by the safety features provided."
West Lafayette and Purdue police will have bike and foot patrols during the campaign. Posted speed limits are 20 mph on campus and 30 mph and 35 mph on city or state streets around campus.
State law regulates pedestrian and driver actions at crosswalks. Indiana Code concerning traffic and pedestrian controls is available online at https://www.in.gov/legislative/ic/code/title9/ar21/ch17.html
Writer: Jim Bush, 765-494-2077, jsbush@purdue.edu
Dave Buck, 765-775-5130, dbuck@westlafayette.in.gov
Chris Leroux, 765-775-5211, cjleroux@westlafayettepd.us