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Crosswalk law must be obeyed
to avoid tragedies this summer

TO THE EDITOR:
Obey the laws? What a concept!
A recent incident in North Branch wherein a child was hit by a vehicle on Hwy. 95 (Main St.) is a tragic reminder that all drivers and pedestrians should know and obey the traffic laws. We cannot afford stoplights at every corner to aid pedestrians, nor can we afford to have police or deputies stationed at every corner to enforce our traffic laws.
The particular law to which I refer is Minnesota Statute 169.21 if you wish to look it up:
ìWhere traffic-control signals are not in place or in operation, the driver of a vehicle shall stop to yield right-of-way to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within a marked crosswalk or at an intersection with no marked crosswalk. The driver must remain stopped until the pedestrian has passed the lane in which the vehicle is stopped.
ìWhen any vehicle is stopped at a marked crosswalk or at an intersection with no marked crosswalk to permit a pedestrian to cross the roadway, the driver of any other vehicle approaching from the rear shall not overtake and pass the stopped vehicle.
ìNo pedestrian shall suddenly leave a curb...and walk or run into the path of a vehicle which is so close that it is impossible for the driver to yield.î
Many drivers are under the mistaken perception that unless a crosswalk is marked with white painted lines, they do not have to yield to a pedestrian. In Minnesota, pedestrians rule at all crosswalks that are not under the control of a traffic light.
The law also cautions pedestrians, however, that if they cross between intersections (commonly called jaywalking), they must yield to all vehicles. However, if thereís a stoplight at each corner, donít cross in the middle of the block. Walk to the corner and cross with the light.
We should all take the time to review this statute with our families.
When it comes to traffic, we all need to ìknow the rules.î Our lives depend on it.
With school out for the summer, letís all take a deep breath and watch out for those too immature to watch out for themselves. Letís stop at all crosswalks, whether marked or unmarked and yield to pedestrians. It might add 30 seconds to our trip, but thatís a small price to pay to avoid tragic injuries or even death.
Twyla Ring,
Senator New Dist. 17
North Branch

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