Jefferson City makes city center pedestrian-friendly

Jefferson City has spent $1.27 million making its downtown more pedestrian friendly. Speed limits have been reduced from 30MPH to 20MPh and several mid-block crosswalks have been installed. Other changes have been made, as well.

The EQC [Environmental Quality Commission, which spearheaded the changes] earlier this week passed a resolution to compel the city to make efforts to increase motorists' awareness of crosswalks on High Street -- particularly the new mid-block crossings.

The action was spurred by recent statements in the media by the police department, which members felt undermined not only pedestrians' having the right of way while in a crosswalk, but the objective of the entire project.

(A previous News-Tribune story had this comment from police: Dean said vehicles should yield to pedestrians at those mid-block crossings. However, that doesn't mean pedestrians have the right to walk in front of traffic, he said. If a car is approaching, Dean said, the pedestrian needs to yield to the motorist.)

"We would like to see the administration work with the police department, informing them that pedestrians have the right of way," stated Jim Crabtree, EQC secretary. "Secondly, we would advocate the city initiate publicity opportunities to convey this to the public over the next 30 to 45 days. We would like to see strict enforcement of those ordinances."

Still, Garner added that, in most cases when a pedestrian is hit in a crosswalk, the assumption will be against the motorist.

Missouri state law (echoed by most municipalities across the state, including Jefferson City) states that the driver of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way, slowing down or stopping if need be to so yield, to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within a crosswalk when the pedestrian is upon the half of the roadway upon which the vehicle is traveling, or when the pedestrian is approaching so closely from the opposite half of the roadway as to be in danger. No pedestrian shall suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety and walk or run into the path of a vehicle which is so close that it is impossible for the driver to yield. (RSMo 300.375, Jefferson City Code 22-113)

Read the complete story in the Jefferson City News-Tribune.