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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Surveillance video captures Medford surgery center thief ... Rogue River offers guided tour through Palmerton Park Arboretum ... Sanctuary One will hold Free Farm Tour Day ... Surveillance video captures Medford surgery center thief ... Rogue River offers guided tour through Palmerton Park Arboretum ... Sanctuary One will hold Free Farm Tour Day ... SINCE YOU ASKED Since You Asked: Pedestrians can be cited for carelessness Comment MailTribune.com Writer Posted Oct. 17, 2015 at 12:01 AM Posted Oct. 17, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Social News Last month I read about a successful "pedestrian enforcement operation." I also overheard in a conversation that pedestrians have complete and indisputable right of way. Do pedestrians have a responsibility of prudence? If such a legal requirement is still in force, can we expect to read about pedestrians being cited for things like stepping in front of oncoming traffic while texting or without looking in either direction? — B.G., via email Just like those drivers who don't wait until pedestrians leave the crosswalk, smartphone-obsessed pedestrians who bumble into intersections without looking are on the wrong side of the law, and indeed they can be cited. So says Special Services Sergeant Don Lane, who supervises the Traffic Division of the Medford Police Department. Pedestrians who don't cross intersections safely risk violating ORS 814.040, Failure to Yield to Vehicle. The law specifically gives vehicles the right of way, and pedestrians face fines for violating the law. "It'd be a D violation, which is $110 base fine," Lane said. Pedestrians risk the citation when failing to yield to vehicles when not in a crosswalk — marked or unmarked — or even if they're crossing at a crosswalk but leave the curb so abruptly as to cause a hazard. These citations can be involved in the event of an accident, or even if a driver has to make a sudden stop in the observation of a police officer. "If we observed it, then we could take action for it," Lane said. Send questions to “Since You Asked,” Mail Tribune Newsroom, P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501; by fax to 541-776-4376; or by email to [email protected]. We’re sorry, but the volume of questions received prevents us from answering all of them. MailTribune.com Writer Posted Oct. 17, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501