 By Scott R. Davis July 21, 2008
Two department members were witness to a near hit on Front Street by the tunnel where two pedestrians were crossing the crosswalk (man and a baby carriage). Due to the three lanes, the North Bound driver seeing another South Bound vehicle moving through the cross walk assumed the way was clear. This vehicle nearly struck the man and his child while we could only watch on Grant Street. Following this near hit, we have decided to initiate the following policy in summary. While operating official departmental vehicles in and around Ketchikan, all department vehicles shall stop at all crosswalks where pedestrians are within the crosswalk. Department vehicles shall not cross over any part or portion of the crosswalk while pedestrians are within the confines of the white borders of the crosswalk. Members shall not cross over the white line of the crosswalk until pedestrians are fully on the curb or off of the street well out of the crosswalk area(s). While operating official departmental vehicles in and around Ketchikan, all department vehicles shall stop fully and turn on hazard flashers when pedestrians has crossed illegally either against the light, or with no crosswalk present. Departmental vehicles shall not pass over an imaginary line in the direction of travel of the pedestrians until the pedestrians are fully on the curb or off of the street well out of this imaginary line. I am writing this to you today to provide information to other drivers and ask for their patience if they observe our apparatus stopping and waiting for pedestrians to cross the street fully. Thank you. Scott R. Davis, Chief
Received July 21, 2008 - Published July 21, 2008 Viewpoints - Opinion Letters:
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