The Revitalist

After 10 pedestrians have been killed on DC streets this year, DC is cracking down on drivers who breeze past pedestrians in the crosswalk (via Planning Livable Communities). Undercover officers set up a sting operation where they attempted to cross and alerted patrol officers down the street to drivers who did not stop. The new initiative is based on the Three Es: engineering (better designed intersections with bumps and rumble strips to reduce speed), education (the new Street Smart campaign), and enforcement (i.e., the sting operation).

As I stood at the crosswalk on Washington Street in Brookline this morning, five cars rolled passed me without slowing down (2 sedans, 3 suvs). This despite the sign that says that they are required by law to stop and the yellow marker in the middle of the street with the universal pedestrian symbol. This is the norm for my neighborhood. Far more remarkable is the driver who stops without a screeching of brakes or an exasperated look. Is it that much of an imposition on their valuable time?