Fewer Springfield drivers yielding at crosswalks

(From the City of Springfield)

Driver compliance at Springfield crosswalks has decreased slightly to 51% across Springfield, according to fourth quarter 2023 crosswalk compliance assessments conducted by the City’s SGF Yields pedestrian safety program. That is a decrease of three percentage points compared to results from the fourth quarter of 2022.

Compliance study sites for the fourth quarter of 2023 include: Mount Vernon at Golden Avenue, Bennett Street at Delaware Avenue, Grant Avenue north of Talmage Street, Broadway Avenue at Swan Street, Mentor Avenue at Greeley Street and a downtown crosswalk on Trafficway near the Jordan Valley Ice Park.

 

Crosswalks assessments for the fourth quarter have historically shown weaker crosswalk compliance among drivers.

“Over the holidays we tend to see fewer drivers yielding to pedestrians. Springfield motorists just seem more rushed and distracted than usual,” explains Traffic Safety professional Mandy Buettgen-Quinn. “October through December are the deadliest months for pedestrians. Nationwide studies show that when daylight hours get shorter, significantly more pedestrians are fatally struck compared to the other months of the year.”

In an effort to reduce fatalities, SGF Yields has launched initiatives to help bridge the gap between drivers and Springfield’s most vulnerable pedestrians. SGF Yields’ new “Use your WITS” outreach initiative and Pedestrian Dignity Project aim to increase understanding and empathy between the groups.

“Motorists are often irritated by people crossing major streets mid-block, while pedestrians don’t always feel safe in crosswalks and often face significant distances in-between official crossings,” explains Buettgen-Quinn. “Our infrastructure was historically built with cars in mind and change will take time. We are currently reaching out to those at highest risk of being fatally hit – our citizens who lack shelter. The “Use Your WITS” education video features local people who have been struck by cars and offers simple tips on how to stay safe. On the flip side, the Pedestrian Dignity Project uses portraits to give a face and voice to our most vulnerable pedestrians. We hope these messages will help drivers become more empathetic towards pedestrians.”

 

About Crosswalk Compliance Studies

Quarterly crosswalk assessments have been conducted by Springfield Public Works Traffic Operations division since 2017. Assessments evaluate driver compliance at six crosswalk sites with similar traffic speeds and characteristics. Two locations are studied each quarter as a control group. The remaining sites are selected from each of the four City Council zones. Results from each location are averaged to produce a snapshot of driver compliance across the city.

Springfield’s crosswalk compliance average in 2017 began with only 25% of drivers yielding. Since then, efforts in public education, crosswalk improvements, amendments to local crosswalk regulations and crosswalk enforcement “Yield Checks” have made an impact on local driving habits. Crosswalk improvements included construction of pedestrian refuge medians, raised crosswalks and installation of Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFBs) at multiple crosswalks..

Learn more about SGF Yields crosswalk compliance assessments at springfieldmo.gov/sgfyields.