Las Vegas NowPolice Use Crosswalk Sting to Bust Drivers

Police Use Crosswalk Sting to Bust Drivers

North Las Vegas Police officers want to put the brakes on motorists who fail to stop for pedestrians at crosswalks. Friday they held a crosswalk sting operation on Las Vegas Boulevard to nab those drivers who fail to stop, and they handed out a lot of tickets.

North Las Vegas Police put on the crosswalk stings about seven times a year, and every time they give out nearly 300 tickets because drivers just won't stop for people crossing.

North Las Vegas Police Sergeant Dave Smith acted as pedestrian Friday. His target was drivers who fail to stop at the crosswalk. He's the bait in this crosswalk sting and anybody who fails to stop while he's crossing gets nabbed

"Once I step in, I own the crosswalk, I own the road. If they don't stop, or fail to yield, I have nine officers here and they'll pull them over and give them a ticket," he said. "It reminds me of the old game Frogger. You watch the pedestrians out here and they're trying to dodge cars to get across the street."

The trap worked. Driver after driver is caught red handed for failing to yield and most with the same excuse, "I was not really paying attention at all."

"They are just being impatient. They're not waiting for people. But, it causes fatal accidents," said Sgt. Smith.

The reason for the crosswalk sting is to remind drivers that pedestrians have the right of way in crosswalks, "When a pedestrian is in the roadway, you're required to yield to them until they are over your half of the road. Until they reach the median, the turn lane, or whatever the case may be, you're required to stop."

Sergeant Smith says it's a problem that needs to be addressed before it gets worse. Crosswalk stings and a $300 ticket will hopefully make motorists think twice when they see the white lines.

The NLVPD has been doing crosswalk stings for seven years now, and they say it's helping. Last year they didn't have any pedestrian fatalities and this year they're off to a good start with no fatalities.