Colfax chief charts crosswalk emphasis

Colfax Police Chief Rick McNannay has asked Colfax officers to put more emphasis on crosswalk enforcement in the coming weeks. The chief reported he has received several complaints of near misses in Colfax crosswalks.

A copy of the state law chapter dealing with crosswalks has been posted by the chief for review. Top point in the chapter requires drivers to allow pedestrians or bicycles to cross the roadway in a marked or unmarked crosswalk.

In a four-lane street such as Main Street, drivers in lanes opposite the side where a pedestrian enters the crosswalk are required to stop when the pedestrain advances beyond one lane from the curb. The chief also called attention to the rule which requires all other drivers to stop when any vehicle has already come to a stop at a crosswalk.

The chief noted crosswalk rules also place an obligation on pedestrians and bicycle riders to follow the rules. He noted crossing in the middle of the block is illegal between intersections which have traffic control signals such as the downtown blocks of Colfax.