Walking (and biking) to school is still popular, especially among Village students who do not have the option to ride a bus. And with busing being even more limited this fall, more walkers and riders may be seen on our sidewalks and in crosswalks! Be aware of bicycles and walkers before and after school! Mirror file photo.

by Marsha Chartrand

Those who choose to or must walk (or ride in an e-wheelchair) around town are well aware of a concern that motorists may fail to yield to those who are in a crosswalk.

While many motorists are very observant of those who may need to cross the street on which they are driving, there are also quite a few who seem to ignore the fact that they could, indeed, share the road with pedestrians or the disabled.

“I have had people stop me and comment on people not yielding to walkers in the crosswalk,“ said Village President Pat Vailliencourt. She said she was particularly concerned about this issue with school starting soon, and remembering the fact that Village kids don’t have the option of riding a bus; consequently many do walk or ride bicycles to school.

“Also, people seem to have forgotten that STOP means completely stop, speed limits are the law, and pedestrians have the right-of-way in the crosswalk,“ she added.

And while all this is true to an extent, Sgt. Joel Gebauer, the senior WCSO officer in the Village, helped clarify some of the issues that will help make this a bit easier for pedestrians once school begins.

“Crossing guards are stationed at Klager and the intersection of Main/M52,“ he explained, “and there are also crossing guards at Riverside School. This, however, varies on staffing levels and availability of the crossing guards the Village employs. WCSO deputies occasionally help out when requested, but can only do so when we’re available.“

Once again, the word “staffing“ comes up in a conversation. Keeping the crossing guard positions fully staffed is a struggle in Manchester. If you are interested in working a limited number of hours per week and would enjoy helping kids (and other pedestrians who need assistance in crossing at these major intersections in the Village), contact Jessica Clark at the Village office, 734-428-7877, to find out more about how to apply for this important job.

If a driver does not stop appropriately for pedestrians crossing within a crosswalk there are several laws in the state of Michigan that address this situation. The most “generic“ of these is MCL 257.612: Yield to Pedestrians: “Whether the signal is green, steady yellow, or red, the vehicular traffic shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrians and bicyclists lawfully within the intersection or an adjacent crosswalk.“ The penalty for violating this law is a civil infraction that would impose a fine and two points on the offender’s driver’s license.

Gebauer added, “A pedestrian with or without a crossing guard simply waiting at the entrance or exit of a crosswalk doesn’t necessarily require a motorist to yield to them. However, if a pedestrian is actively trying to legally cross the road within the crosswalk, then the motorists are required under MCL 257.612 to yield the right-of-way to them.“

Yes, it’s true. While once you are crossing, you have the right-of-way in the crosswalk, it’s not a “law“ that someone is required to stop for you if you’re simply waiting to cross the street, even if you’re standing or sitting in the crosswalk. Even if you have a disability. Even if you have a cute toddler. Or a large dog. We all know, however, that there are many good-hearted people who will stop for you. To them, we tip our hats, wave, and smile to show our appreciation. If they are in a hurry or simply ignoring the pedestrian, well … we keep on waiting, understanding that a kind person will come along eventually.

As for rolling stops, or not stopping at all at a stop sign — know that Sgt. Gebauer and his fellow deputies will be in all areas of busy traffic within the Village over the coming weeks. They will be monitoring motorists, especially as school resumes, to make sure everyone on the roadways — pedestrians and motorists alike — stay safe. You don’t know when they might be hiding around the corner, so just make sure you come to that complete stop. All. The. Time.

Be safe, for yourself and for others.