The survey quoted in the Sept. 8 Tribune article “Many drivers ignoring crosswalk law: study“ showed that 61 percent of drivers don’t stop for pedestrians at painted crosswalks. Based on my personal observations, I would say that number is closer to 100 percent of drivers don’t stop.
I frequently try to cross North Broadway, for example, but am always unable to do so safely until the traffic stops for red lights at nearby intersections. Vehicles traveling at 35 or 40 mph aren’t going to stop for pedestrians.
The article mentions “painted” crosswalks, but the paint on many crosswalks on the North Side is so faded, it is nearly invisible.
For a city so desperate for money, it is hard to believe that the City of Chicago won’t issue thousands of citations for these violations in order to improve the compliance level. The article states that the fine in Chicago is $120. This seems extremely low when considering that a homeowner can be fined a minimum of $600 for having high weeds in his or her yard.
A city representative was quoted in the Tribune two years ago as saying that the city’s goal was reducing the number of pedestrian fatalities to zero in 10 years.
The city doesn’t act like that’s its goal.
— Brian Owen, Chicago
