Police

The Greenville Police Department Traffic Safety Unit is beginning a Pedestrian Crossing Safety Campaign to promote pedestrian safety at marked crosswalks.  In 2005, four pedestrians were killed in Greenville.  

Most motorists are not aware of the fact that they are required by State law to yield to pedestrians in cross walks.

North Carolina General Statute 20-173 requires that where traffic-control signals are not in place or in operation the driver of a vehicle shall yield the right of way, slowing down or stopping if need be to so yield, to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within any marked crosswalk or within any unmarked crosswalk at or near an intersection. 

Program  Specifics

Temporary signs will be placed in the roadway at various crossings throughout the City of Greenville indicating that vehicles should yield to pedestrians. Officers will begin monitoring these locations as well as other crosswalks.

Drivers who fail to yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk may be issued a citation and ultimately may incur insurance and driving points against their driving record. Pedestrians are reminded they are not to step out in front of motor vehicles even in a crosswalk. Even though pedestrians have the right of way, please remember that due to any number of distractions a driver may not see you step out in the crosswalk. In such a case, it is no longer a battle of wills or "pedestrian vs. driver."   A violation of this statute could result in a total of $145.00 in fines and court cost.