KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — The City of Kalamazoo has announced that it will be installing over 60 new pedestrian crosswalk signs in different crosswalks throughout the city.
According to a statement on the city website, “the new signs are in addition to the 108 ‘Local Law, Stop Here for Pedestrians’ signs that have already been added at 54 crosswalks this year.”
The signs are meant to make drivers more aware of pedestrians and where to stop for them. The new signs follow a city ordinance that began last June, which requires motorists to stop for pedestrians at crosswalks without a traffic signal.
Kalamazoo Sheriff Richard Fuller says that pedestrians must still be mindful of traffic signals and laws.
“Pedestrians are encouraged to use the walks, they are also able to be ticketed for not using the walks,” Fuller said. “They should go with traffic, meaning if there’s a light there to tell you when to go, that’s when you should go. The citizen walking has got to pay attention and not walk out in front of traffic.”
Locations for the new signs were chosen based on criteria such as traffic speed and volume, street width, and observed pedestrian usage.
The new signs come following the news of a pedestrian who was struck by traffic at the intersection of Michigan Avenue and Church Street two weeks ago.
