Flint and Flint Township Police Adding Pedestrian Safety Patrols

Starting Thursday, Flint and Flint Township police will be taking part in a week-long special patrol focusing on pedestrian safety. It kind of feels like it's a little late in the year to be doing this as fewer people are walking the streets. You would think late spring/early summer would be a more appropriate time of year when more people are out and about. For some reason, the majority of pedestrian accidents happen in October.

According to ABC12, Flint and Flint Township police departments are scheduling overtime patrols through Oct. 21 aimed at reducing pedestrian injuries and deaths on roadways. Officers will be looking for the following safety violations that put pedestrians at risk:

• Illegal turns.
• Failing to stop at a signal or stop sign before a crosswalk.
• Failing to yield to pedestrians in a crosswalk at a signalized intersection.
• Blocking a roadway that interferes with the normal flow of traffic.
• Not following pedestrian control signals.
• Not walking on a sidewalk where provided.
• Not walking facing traffic when on a roadway.

One thing I'm all about is cracking down on these knuckleheads that continue to drive with their heads buried in their phones while behind the wheel.

Michael L. Prince, director of the Office of Highway Safety Planning:

We’re hoping this enforcement period, during national pedestrian safety month, will help save the lives of Michigan’s most vulnerable roadway users - pedestrians. When driving, put your phone down, focus on the road, and expect to see people walking and using mobility aids.