Driver, Pedestrian Safety Responsibilities: Bel Air Police

BEL AIR, MD — Bel Air police are warning drivers and pedestrians to be aware of each other and set out some basic rules to follow. Police will be watching for "pedestrian safety violations," they said on Facebook, on and around Main Street.

"As we continue to approach the wonderful days of summer in the Town of Bel Air, the police department is sending out our pedestrian safety reminder," Bel Air police said.

Police lined out the duties of both drivers and pedestrians when it comes to intersections. Here are the drivers' duties:

• The driver of a vehicle shall come to a stop when a pedestrian crossing the roadway in a crosswalk is: On the half of the roadway on which the vehicle is traveling; or approaching from an adjacent lane on the other half of the roadway.
• The passing of a vehicle stopped for a pedestrian is prohibited. If, at a marked crosswalk or at an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection, a vehicle is stopped to let a pedestrian cross the roadway, the driver of any other vehicle approaching from the rear may not overtake and pass the stopped vehicle.

Pedestrians' duties are:

• A pedestrian may not suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety and walk or run into the path of a vehicle which is so close that it is impossible for the driver to yield.
• Pedestrians must adhere to pedestrian traffic control signals when available.
• One last thing: For pedestrians please be observant when crossing at or walking near roadways, this means "Eyes Up - Phones Down."

Article image Dan Libon/Patch Staff