SGF Yields

Drone is up!

Yield Checks are under way at Chesterfield Boulevard. This activated crosswalk on Scenic Avenue sees a lot of pedestrian traffic, yet many drivers do not yield.
Making crosswalks safe is an important first step in curbing pedestrian fatalities due to "jaywalking". After all, if crosswalks are not respected by drivers, pedestrians are much less likely to use them.

The overtime-based activity is grant funded and conducted as high-visibility enforcement to increase driver compliance at crosswalks. Violations are set a minimum $100 fine, but can drastically increase based on the circumstances, including cell phone use.

Thank you Springfield, MO Police Department for making our crosswalks safe!

Join us at the Cox Child Heath and Safety Fair!
Lots of fun safety games, cool giveaways and heavy equipment to explore!
Multiple City of Springfield, MO departments are here, including Public Works, the Zoo, Springfield, MO Police Department and the Springfield Fire Department. There is even a pop up safety town where kids can practice their bike skills, using their new (free) bike helmets! There are bouncies and ice cream and lots of cool games from the various represented agencies!
We are here till noon today, come see us across from the Turner Center!

https://www.coxhealth.com/events/kids-health-safety-fair/

Thank you Injury Prevention at CoxHealth for putting on Springfield's biggest child safety event of the year!

“I was a diesel mechanic. One day I was going for a jog on the sidewalk and some driver jumped the curb. I ended up with brain damage. That is how I became homeless.”

At the last round of Yield Checks, ONLY 52% of drivers yielded to the cop in the crosswalk (and that was at a busy trail crossing - and there was even a "Crosswalk Enforcement Ahead" sign out in the road...hmmm).
We can do better: EVERYBODY PUT THEIR PHONE DOWN AND BE ALERT when on or crossing the road!

Next week's round of crosswalk enforcement will be on Scenic Avenue, at the Chesterfield Boulevard intersection. Yield Checks are an overtime-based, grant-funded activity that has proven to increase crosswalk safety city-wide.

Help us spread the word that Springfield is is taking crosswalk safety seriously!

Over the past few years we have seen a drastic increase in crashes involving e-bikes, e-scooters and other e-devices.

These devices are especially dangerous for children and many parents forget that the speed and power of some of the e-devices are rivaling those of mopeds or small motorcycles!
Indeed, in Missouri, youth under 16 years of age are not permitted to ride class three e-bikes.
Lastly, regular "bike" helmets (which are required by city code!) may not offer enough protection based on the speeds driven.

YIELD CHECKS are underway!
If crosswalks are not respected drivers, pedestrians are less likely to walk out of their way to use them. Therefore, crosswalk enforcement is important! However, we are also enforcing illegal crossings if they endanger life.

Today, we find that lots of people are speeding AND failing to yield to the officer in the crosswalk.

This grant-funded operation utilizes police officers on overtime and a drone to document infractions.

Hi WALKERS!
BE SURE TO CLAIM YOUR CROSSWALK!
Don't be shy - drivers are more likely to yield to you (like they should) if you step up expectantly:

⭐ Step to the edge of the crosswalk
⭐ Look at drivers
⭐ Check other lanes
⭐ Cross and peace out

In Springfield, we have the "Three Foot Rule" to clarify that pedestrians do not have to step into the crosswalk (into the street) to require drivers to yield - because we all know not everybody respects crosswalks.
Standing on the "pumpy pads" puts you within the three foot area and is close enough!

Today our team got to work with kindergarten and first grade! Who knew that pedestrian safety could be so much fun! Alice Pittman Elementary School

We are loving the ideas and questions coming from these IB students at Central High School.
We have been working with these creative young minds to make SGF Yields and Safer Streets SGF more relevant for younger generations, while giving them valuable insights into public service and programming.

Thank you, United Way Ozarks Region's Give 5 program for giving us this exciting opportunity!