Ramapo Pedestrian & Bike Safety Enforcement initiative issues 15 tickets
Ramapo police tell News 12 there have been 47 accidents this year involving a vehicle and a bicyclist or vehicle and pedestrian. Those crashes and community concerns led them to hit the streets for stepped up enforcement this week.
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Ramapo police tell News 12 there have been 47 accidents this year involving a vehicle and a bicyclist or a vehicle and a pedestrian.
Those crashes and community concerns led them to hit the streets for increased enforcement this week.
News 12 has covered the police department's other similar increased safety initiatives over recent years.
On Wednesday, officers were in an area of Monsey, where they say three incidents happened in April.
"They have to have accountability for their actions as motorists. They have to have accountability for their actions as pedestrians," said Lt. Blaine Howell.
Howell says officers wrote 15 tickets for infractions such as drivers failing to stop at a stop sign and crossing a double yellow line, while someone got one for walking out in front of a moving police car.
He explains that pedestrians do not always have the right of way. People are supposed to use a crosswalk if it's there. If someone crosses where there isn't one and a vehicle has to slow down to avoid them, then the person is at fault.
Those who have been given tickets will be dealt with in the appropriate local court. Ramapo police point to enforcement being an important factor in deterring future incidents.
"We can only educate people so much. Without some kind of repercussions, we're not going to get any kind of compliance," Howell said.
Ramapo officers also handed out educational materials about pedestrian and bike safety written in English, Spanish, Creole and Yiddish.
