DARLINGTON - The Darlington Police Department wants motorists to be more considerate - or face a fine.
Police Chief Jason King said Main Street in Darlington is the busiest street in town. State estimates say there are 9,800 vehicles on the street every day.
King said more people have expressed concern about the fact that people have trouble crossing the streets due to the traffic.
King said that much traffic can cause problems for motorists and pedestrians alike.
"We want pedestrians to be able to get across the street safely," he said. "I was told of a woman who stood in the rain with her grandchild while five or six cars drove by but never slowed down to allow her to cross the street."
King said the downtown area has also seen its share of accidents, as drivers pull out into traffic.
By encouraging people to slow down for people crossing the street, King also hopes it will help drivers slow down and be more cautious when they pull out onto the road or away from a parking stall.
Wisconsin statutes require drivers to yield to pedestrians and bicyclists who want to cross the street in a marked crosswalk, King said.
"Essentially, pedestrians or bicyclists who have stepped off the curb area have the right of way," he said.
It's understandable that larger vehicles might have difficulties as they try to slow down for pedestrians, but they are not exempt from the law, King said.
King said he hopes publicity will solve the problem and people will begin to slow down.
However, anyone who fails to yield for a pedestrian can be fined $217 and have four points assessed to their driving record.
It is also illegal for someone to pass a vehicle that has stopped to yield to pedestrians. King said anyone who does can be fined up to $312 and have three points assessed to their driving record.
Police Chief Jason King said Main Street in Darlington is the busiest street in town. State estimates say there are 9,800 vehicles on the street every day.
King said more people have expressed concern about the fact that people have trouble crossing the streets due to the traffic.
King said that much traffic can cause problems for motorists and pedestrians alike.
"We want pedestrians to be able to get across the street safely," he said. "I was told of a woman who stood in the rain with her grandchild while five or six cars drove by but never slowed down to allow her to cross the street."
King said the downtown area has also seen its share of accidents, as drivers pull out into traffic.
By encouraging people to slow down for people crossing the street, King also hopes it will help drivers slow down and be more cautious when they pull out onto the road or away from a parking stall.
Wisconsin statutes require drivers to yield to pedestrians and bicyclists who want to cross the street in a marked crosswalk, King said.
"Essentially, pedestrians or bicyclists who have stepped off the curb area have the right of way," he said.
It's understandable that larger vehicles might have difficulties as they try to slow down for pedestrians, but they are not exempt from the law, King said.
King said he hopes publicity will solve the problem and people will begin to slow down.
However, anyone who fails to yield for a pedestrian can be fined $217 and have four points assessed to their driving record.
It is also illegal for someone to pass a vehicle that has stopped to yield to pedestrians. King said anyone who does can be fined up to $312 and have three points assessed to their driving record.