On Aug. 17, Logan City officials posted the above graphic on Facebook, illustrating the three types of crosswalks where pedestrians have the right of way (Image courtesy of Facebook).
LOGAN – With thousands of Cache Valley schoolchildren returning to classrooms soon, Logan City officials believe many motorists might need a primer in pedestrian safety – particularly regarding crosswalks.
Back-to-school always signals increased pedestrian traffic in Logan City and other towns in Cache Valley, so officials here are reminding motorists of their responsibility to help to keep everyone safe, particularly schoolchildren.
On Aug. 17, Logan City posted the above graphic on Facebook, illustrating three types of crossings where pedestrians have the right of way.
The crosswalk illustrated by the #1 in the graphic is a school-zone crossing. School-zone crossings are marked by “ladder” stripes. Drivers must stop for pedestrians in a school-zone crossing and allow them to pass through the entire crosswalk, on both sides of the street, before proceeding.
As shown by the #2 above, standard crosswalks are marked by parallel lines on the road. Drivers are also required to stop for pedestrians in a standard crosswalk, letting them cross their side of the road before moving forward.
Unmarked crosswalks — identified by the #3 above — are typically found in slow speed residential intersections throughout the city. Again, motorists must stop and wait for a pedestrian to cross their side of the road before proceeding forward.
In 2022, officials of the Utah Department of Transportation reported that 320 Utahns last their lives in traffic mishaps, including 53 pedestrians.
In Logan, that death toll included 65-year-old Tina Marie Jackman, who was struck and killed in a crosswalk while operating a motorized wheelchair attempting to cross Main Street at 200 North in October of that year.
The Logan City Police Department periodically stages “crosswalk sting” operations to educate and remind motorists of their safety responsibilities.
In their Facebook post, city officials also reminded drivers that it is illegal to operate a motor vehicle within three feet of a pedestrian.
At a stop or yield sign, motorists must yield to pedestrians in adjacent crosswalks.
Finally, motorists are advised that it is illegal to pass a vehicle that is stopped or yielding to a pedestrian in a crosswalk.
Logan City officials also advise that motorist can reacquaint themselves with state laws regarding crosswalks by going online here.