From Fredericksburg City Police:
This week, there will be an increase in vehicles traveling on our roadways and additional foot traffic in our beautiful downtown district for Small Business Saturday. The City of Fredericksburg is launching a pedestrian safety campaign to ensure everyone has a safe and festive holiday week.
In addition to education via social media and signage, Fredericksburg police officers will be downtown looking for drivers stopping at designated crosswalks and pedestrians crossing at intersections and randomly presenting them with a Downtown Gift card for following Virginia Law. The Downtown Gift cards can be used at over 60 shops and restaurants in the downtown district and were generously donated by Fredericksburg Downtown , who also believe pedestrian safety is vital to a thriving City.
Virginia law requires motorists to yield the right of way to any pedestrian crossing a highway at any clearly marked crosswalk. However, pedestrians are prohibited from entering or crossing an intersection in disregard of approaching traffic. This means that both motorists and pedestrians should be on “high alert” when approaching a street crossing. Even then, pedestrians should wait to cross until it’s obvious the driver is going to stop. In a collision between a vehicle and a pedestrian there are no winners, although some will lose to a greater degree than others.
The Fredericksburg Police Department encourage drivers and pedestrians to remember the three C’s:
• Caution – drivers and pedestrians should use caution when approaching an intersection
• Courtesy – drivers should be courteous to pedestrians at cross walks
• Common Sense – everyone should practice common sense. In a collision between a 4,000-pound (or even heavier) vehicle and a 150 pound pedestrian, there are no winners, but some lose to an even greater degree than others.
Practicing the three C’s will ensure everyone has a happy holiday season.
