Crime & Safety

Shrewsbury Police To Step Up Enforcement Near Crosswalks

Shrewsbury police say they've seen an increase in complaints about drivers failing to yield for pedestrians.

Shrewsbury officers will be looking out for violations near town crosswalks.
Shrewsbury officers will be looking out for violations near town crosswalks. (Christine Charnosky/Patch)

SHREWSBURY, MA β€” Look both ways before you cross.

That's the message from Shrewsbury police to drivers passing through crosswalks around town.

Shrewsbury officers will start stepping up patrols around crosswalks after receiving an increase in complaints about drivers skirting the law, the department said Wednesday.

Find out what's happening in Shrewsburyfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

"These types of violations can be difficult to enforce unless a patrol officer actually sees a violation," the department said in a social media post. "In an effort to address this issue, we will be assigning extra officers to go out and conduct crosswalk enforcement. The goals of these assignments will be to increase pedestrian safety, enforce violations, and educate and raise awareness for our motorists."

Under state law, drivers must yield or stop for pedestrians in crosswalks under all circumstances, even if the driver has a green light. Failure to do so can end in a $205 fine, or severe injury or worse for the pedestrian.

Find out what's happening in Shrewsburyfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

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