CDOT, Police focus on crosswalk safety

Continuing efforts to improve pedestrian safety in the city, the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT), in conjunction with the Chicago Police Department (CPD) continues crosswalk enforcement initiatives in 2009.

The initiatives involve an off-duty, undercover police officer posing as a pedestrian crossing at a crosswalk. If oncoming drivers don’t yield to the pedestrian—as required by law—the vehicle will be pulled over by a police spotter further down the street.

Motorists can face fines ranging from $50 to $500 for failure to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk.

“Providing a safe pedestrian environment is our No. 1 goal,” said CDOT Acting Commissioner Thomas Powers. “This initiative is designed to increase awareness among motorists about the importance of stopping for pedestrians. People should be able to safely cross the street in their neighborhoods.”

CDOT has completed numerous safety-related improvements throughout the city, including traffic-calming installations such as speed humps and curb bumpouts to slow vehicles, as well as pedestrian-countdown signals that tell pedestrians how much time they have to cross the street. “But so much of safety lies in the hands of those behind the wheel,” Powers said. “We want to make sure drivers and pedestrians know the law and their respective responsibilities.”

At least two enforcement initiatives are planned in each of the 25 police districts. Locations chosen are close to schools, senior housing facilities and retail areas. Additionally, most locations are near a recent pedestrian crash location.

Enforcements began Thursday, April 23, at Peterson and Nagle. The schedule of enforcements is regularly updated--see below.

The crosswalk awareness initiative is funded through a grant from the Illinois Department of Transportation.

Crosswalk enforcement schedule

Thursday, April 23

8 a.m.--Nagle and Peterson - District 16

Saturday, April 25

8 a.m.--119th and Stewart - District 5

10:30 a.m.--103rd and S. Prairie - District 5

1 p.m.--86th and Commercial - District 4

Thursday, May 7

8 a.m.--67th and Sacramento

Saturday, May 9

8 a.m.--51st and Prairie

10 a.m.--66th/67th and Champlain

1 p.m.--73rd and Chappel

Saturday, May 16

8 a.m.--18th and Carpenter - District 12

10:30 a.m.--Richmond and Augusta - District 13

1 p.m.--Division and Hoyne - District 13/14

Wednesday, May 27

8 a.m.--Diversey and LeClaire

Sunday, June 14

8 a.m.--Addison and Springfield

10 a.m.--Addison and Campbell

noon--Devon and Francisco

Thursday, June 25

8 a.m.--55th and Talman

Saturday, June 27

8 a.m.--71st and Princeton

10 a.m.--69th and Eggleston

12:30 p.m.--63rd and Throop

Thursday, July 16

8 a.m.--5050 N. Broadway

Saturday, July 16

8 a.m.--111th between King Drive and S. Indiana

10:30 a.m.--80th and Halsted

1 p.m.--79th and Sangamon

Tuesday, July 28

8 a.m.--35th and Hermitage

Thursday, July 30

8 a.m.--Harrison between Wood and Wolcott

Saturday, August 1

8 a.m.--Montrose and Lockwood

10:30 a.m.--Central and Leland

12:30 p.m.--Bryn Mawr and St. Louis

Tuesday, August 4

8 a.m.--76th between Racine and Loomis

Thursday, August 6

8 a.m.--Damen and Huron

Wednesday, August 12

8 a.m.--35th and Rhodes

Thursday, August 13

8 a.m.--900 West Harrison

Saturday, August 15

8 a.m.--76th Street between Racine and Loomis

10:15 a.m.--Kedzie and 61st Place

12:30 p.m.--47th Street and Karlov

Wednesday, August 19

8 a.m.--50th and Cottage Grove

Thursday, August 20

8 a.m.--26th and Sawyer

Monday, August 24--Nighttime effort

8 p.m.--Belmont and Orchard

Wednesday, September 2--Nighttime effort

8 p.m.--Belmont and Orchard

Wednesday, September 9--Nighttime effort

8 p.m.--Clark and Wisconsin

Thursday, September 10--Nighttime effort

8 p.m.--Clark and Deming

Tuesday, September 15--Nighttime effort

7:30 p.m.--Clark and Deming

Wednesday, September 16--Nighttime effort

7:30 p.m.--Clark and Wisconsin

Monday, September 21--Nighttime effort

7 p.m.--Clark and Deming

Tuesday, September 22--Nighttime effort

7 p.m.--Belmont and Orchard

Wednesday, September 23--Nighttime effort

7 p.m.--Clark and Wisconsin

Thursday, September 24

7 a.m.--Armitage and Seminary

Saturday, September 26

morning and afternoon--88th and Commercial, 103rd and Bell, 107th and Racine

Saturday, October 24

morning and afternoon--Foster between Kimball and Kedzie; Addison and Springfield; Lawrence and Campbell; Armitage and Karlov; Laramie and Potomac; Diversey and LeClaire.

Thursday, October 29

8 a.m.--Milwaukee and Hermitage

Friday, October 30

8 a.m.--18th and Peoria

Saturday, November 7

8 a.m.--Wolcott and Garfield

10 a.m.--54th and Ashland

noon--51st and Winchester