In 2011, Astoria hired a “pedestrian safety” expert from Seattle, who reported that the Oregon Department of Transportation records since 2005, showed one to two pedestrians were hit in Astoria every month but October.

When asked, “Which year?” he replied, “Every year. Pedestrians are hit each month, but never in October. It’s an anomaly.”

Well, I don’t think it’s an anomaly. But for those of you wondering what the law has to say on it: See Oregon Revised Statute 801.220 (Crosswalk), ORS Chapter 811 and ORS 814.010 (Appropriate responses to traffic control devices), which include:

When at a traffic signal, drivers must: Stop and remain stopped for pedestrians until they have cleared the lane into which your vehicle is turning and at least 6 feet of the next lane.

At any other crosswalks — whether marked with paint or unmarked — drivers must: Stop and remain stopped for pedestrians until they have cleared the lane in which you are traveling (or into which you are turning) and the next lane.

If a pedestrian is in a safety buffer when the vehicle enters the crosswalk, the driver will be cited for a fine over $200.

In October, all stores bombard citizens with ads for Halloween, so “kids loose in streets” are on every mind. Perhaps if KMUN made public service announcements, the way stores advertised Halloween, we wouldn’t need these laws.

DANE JACONETTI
Astoria