From Bill Lindelof:
Sacramento Police handed out 26 citations to motorists who failed to yield to pedestrians in crosswalk during an unorthodox sting operation.
And more such stings are likely, a police spokesman said.
At four different intersections on Thursday a plainclothes officer worked with motorcycle officers to hand out the tickets.
In the operation, the officer in street clothes started to cross the street, giving approaching motorist ample of time to stop. If they failed to yield, then uniformed officers swooped in and cited them.
The undercover operation was conducted at four locations where citizens have complained that they had trouble crossing between the white lines: 17th and J streets, 30th and Q streets, F Street and Alhambra Boulevard and Claudia Drive at Freeport Boulevard near Executive Airport.
"It's a concern for the public," said Sgt. Norm Leong, police spokesman. "It is the pedestrian's responsibility that the motorist has ample time to recognize their presence. Once that is done, and they are in the crosswalk, vehicles have to yield until the pedestrian is all the way across to the other side."
Leong said the pedestrian should make eye contact with a motorist and give the driver enough time to stop. He said that motorists could expect additional stings like the one that occurred Thursday.
In 2008, there were 229 reported vehicle accidents involving pedestrians in Sacramento. In those accidents, 204 were injured and seven killed.
The fine for not yielding to a pedestrian in a crosswalk is $160 or more, depending on a person's driving record, Leong said.
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