Where are drivers most likely to yield to pedestrians?

From Angie Schmitt, Streetsblog -- You’re approaching an un-signalized crosswalk. How likely are drivers to obey the law and stop to let you cross the street?

According to a national survey of experts, that depends on a few factors, including the width of the road you’re trying to cross, how many other pedestrians are in the area, and even what part of the country you happen to be in.

Robert Schneider, professor of urban planning at the University of Wisconsin, and his co-author Rebecca Sanders interviewed almost 400 professionals from the fields of public health, planning and engineering, and safe streets advocacy around North America. They asked them to assess the likelihood of a motorist yielding to a pedestrian in their town at different kinds of crosswalks that do not have traffic signals.

Some interesting patterns emerged. Here are the three major factors that, according to respondents, influence whether drivers show courtesy to pedestrians. [Full story ...]

Poster's note: Drivers rarely stop for bicyclists and pedestrians as they attempt to cross Wyoming Ave on the Pomeroy Trail, as demonstrated in the video above. Maybe it's because a check of Delaware law reveals a fine of only $2 to $25, making any type of enforcement simply not worth it. The result is warning signs that are so vague, and so toothless, as to be laughable.

The State of Massachusetts is serious about non-motorized crosswalk safety. Maybe it's because they can be, given fines as high as $200.

Related:  Why crosswalks are so dangerous in Delaware