Bellevue Police Step Up Traffic Enforcement for Pedestrian Safety

On Thursday May 26, officers from the Traffic Unit will be conducting enforcement around crosswalks in downtown Bellevue. Between the hours of 10 AM and 12 PM, officers will focus on the intersections of 108th Ave NE at the NE 200 block and NE 100th Ave at NE 1st Street. Officers will be enforcing a variety of laws that ensure the safety of pedestrians crossing the roadway. 
 
Some of the typical violations seen are:
 

• Failing to Yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk
• Driving while using a cell phone
• Driving while texting
• Inattention to driving
• Speeding
• Seatbelt laws will also be enforced.

“When behind the wheel of a car, the primary responsibility of the driver is to focus on their driving and safely interacting with pedestrians and other vehicles on the road," Bellevue Police Traffic Lieutenant Marcia Harnden said in a prepared statement. "More and more, we are seeing drivers and pedestrians distracted by texting, talking on a cell phone and speed. The number one goal of this enforcement is to improve driver and pedestrian behavior and safety."

Earlier this year, 77-year-old of Bellevue was struck and killed by a car while crossing NE 8th Street at the 16100 block in Crossroads. Bellevue resident , 49, was charged with a felony in her death. The goal is to reduce deaths and injuries on Bellevue’s roadways through education, enforcement and engineering, according to the police department.

The public can call 425-452-6940 with questions or to report problem areas, the police department reported.

-- Information from Bellevue Police Department and Bellevue Patch archives.