In a recent city council meeting, Riverton officials discussed the adoption of a new ordinance aimed at enhancing pedestrian safety in response to rising complaints about unsafe roadway crossings. The proposed ordinance, numbered 24006, seeks to amend the municipal code to clarify the use of crosswalks and establish guidelines for pedestrian behavior on roadways.

The ordinance was prompted by community concerns, particularly along North Federal, where incidents of jaywalking have reportedly increased. City staff conducted research on similar statutes from other municipalities to inform the proposed changes. The ordinance specifies that pedestrians must yield to vehicles when crossing outside of marked crosswalks and outlines the responsibilities of both pedestrians and drivers.

During the meeting, several council members expressed their support for the ordinance, emphasizing the need for improved safety measures in high-traffic areas. Councilman Bailey noted that the ordinance is intended to target specific corridors, such as Maine and Federal, rather than residential streets, to minimize potential overreach in enforcement.

However, the discussion also highlighted concerns regarding the potential misuse of the ordinance. Local business owner Bruce Camminga raised questions about whether the ordinance could lead to unnecessary stops by law enforcement or be used as a revenue-generating tool through fines. He urged the council to consider the implications of enforcing such a law, particularly in light of past experiences in other municipalities.

City officials reassured attendees that the primary goal of the ordinance is to enhance safety rather than to penalize pedestrians. The police chief emphasized that the ordinance would provide law enforcement with the necessary tools to address unsafe crossing behaviors and educate the public on pedestrian safety.

The council ultimately voted in favor of the ordinance, which is expected to take effect shortly. As the city moves forward with this initiative, officials acknowledged the importance of ongoing community feedback and the need for additional measures, such as potentially increasing the number of crosswalks in high-traffic areas, to further enhance pedestrian safety.