Pedestrian crossing signals installed, notes on safety

Pedestrian Crossing signals have been installed at the bridge that marks the end of Lakeshore Drive and the start of Mountain Brook Parkway. Jemison Park runners and walkers will now be able to cross the street in a more efficient and safe manner.

City Manager Sam Gaston reminds everyone about how vehicles should respond to pedestrians. When traffic control signals are not in place or not in operation, the driver of a vehicle shall yield the right- of-way to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within a crosswalk. This applies when the pedestrian is on the half of the roadway on which the vehicle is traveling, or when the pedestrian is approaching so closely from the opposite half of the roadway as to be in danger.

It is the pedestrian’s responsibility, however, to not suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety and walk or run into the path of a vehicle that is close enough to constitute an immediate hazard.

For additional safety, whenever any vehicle is stopped at a marked crosswalk or at any unmarked crosswalk at an intersection to permit a pedestrian to cross the roadway, the driver of any other vehicle approaching from the rear may not overtake and pass the stopped vehicle.