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Crime & Safety

Drivers Caught in Pedestrian-Crossing Sting

Police crack down on unsafe drivers in Milpitas in an effort to improve crosswalk safety.

While most drivers know it’s a good idea to keep an eye in their rear-view mirror while on the road, in Milpitas it’s just as important to look ahead.

More than 50 errant drivers found that out the hard way this month when they were caught in pedestrian-crossing stings set up by Milpitas police. The idea behind the stings, according to police, is to educate drivers that it’s their responsibility to stop for pedestrians when they are in a crosswalk.

Cops kicked off their unannounced street education program for drivers in the morning hours of Sept. 14 at the intersection of North Abel and Penitencia streets.

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As traffic whizzed by and pedestrians stepped into crosswalks, cops knew they wouldn’t have to wait long to deliver their message. By the end of the sting, 27 drivers were stopped and issued a traffic citation for failing to stop for a pedestrian in the crosswalk.

Mission accomplished? Nope. There was still an afternoon class scheduled.

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For that session, officers rolled to the intersection of Calaveras Boulevard and Carnegie Drive. Within two hours, 28 drivers received their citations.

Police are cracking down on unsafe driving in the city in response to safety concerns. During the last 12 months, two pedestrians have been killed and another six injured by motorists in Milpitas. Police chose the two intersections for this month’s sting, because each has been the site of fatal collisions involving pedestrians.

Are classes out of session now? Nope. Police say they plan more pedestrian-crossing stings soon.

When and where will those be? Police are mum on that.

So, for now, what's the most important thing drivers should do when approaching a crosswalk at a busy intersection?

Look ahead.

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