WATCH THOSE CROSSWALKS

By The Observer

La Grande motorists proved to be a mostly safe group Thursday when it came to pedestrian awareness.

There were a few problems, and only eight citations were given to drivers who violated crosswalk rules, while 193 drivers yielded to pedestrians.

Police, with officers dressed in civilian clothes, acted as decoys trying to use crosswalks at Washington Avenue and Elm Street and at Adams Avenue and Elm Street during a three-hour period after lunch.

La Grande Police Sgt. Phil Myer said 18 people were given warnings about their driving through the crosswalks, along with the eight people who were handed citations.

The most common reasons given for ignoring crosswalks by those stopped by police were, Myer said, I didnt see him or her, or I didnt know I had to stop.

Police plan to run several more decoy operations at La Grande crosswalks before school starts, including another within a week.

TEST RESULTS

BY THE NUMBERS

Eight citations were given to drivers who violated crosswalk rules

193 drivers yielded to pedestrians

18 people were given warnings about their driving through the crosswalks,

Where: crosswalks at Washington Avenue and Elm Street and at Adams Avenue and Elm Street

How long: three-hour period after lunch