Pedestrian Safety

You printed several letters (July 17) complaining about the Glendale crackdown on pedestrian violations. An important part of law enforcement’s responsibility concerning traffic laws is to educate the public, and my officers devote many hours each week talking to schools, community groups and everyday violators we stop.

First, contrary to what many people believe, you do not have to stop for a pedestrian as soon as he/she steps into a crosswalk, marked or unmarked. You only need to stop when by continuing you take the right of way from that pedestrian, i.e., you interrupt his speed or direction. One letter stated, incorrectly, just the opposite. It is not against the law for pedestrians to cross the roadway mid-block so long as they do not interfere with traffic, unless they cross between two signaled intersections; then it is always a violation and the true definition of “jaywalking.”

Finally, pedestrians do not have the absolute right of way in California; only white-caned pedestrians do. A pedestrian must yield the right of way to vehicles approaching a crosswalk when the driver would be unable to stop; you just can’t step off the curb into the path of an oncoming car. You usually get hit, and you’re usually at fault.

I encourage members of the driving and walking public to contact us for an interesting program on traffic safety, which we happily provide to any group at its convenience.

ALAN KERSTEIN, Captain

Commanding Officer

Valley Traffic Division, LAPD