Mt. Lebanon Commissioners Approve Jaywalking Ordinance

MT. LEBANON (KDKA)- Mt. Lebanon's commissioners unanimously approved a new ordinance to crack down on jaywalkers.

The measure was introduced by Police Chief Aaron Lauth, as part of a campaign to promote safer roads in Mt. Lebanon.

"It's a campaign that's specifically aimed at walking safety, driving safety and bicycle safety," said Lauth. "We're not targeting one group more than another."

The commissioners agreed with the chief and approved the new ordinance. Under the ordinance, people caught jaywalking would pay a $25 fine plus court costs.

Earlier this month, officials said the ordinance would be enforced through warnings in the beginning. An educational and awareness campaign will also be launched to make the public aware of the new law.

Jaywalking would constitute not using the pedestrian crossings at intersections and walking across the street when pedestrians have a stop hand on the signal.

Not everyone approves of the jaywalking ordinance.

"Mt. Lebanon is saying pedestrians who have a human right to walk, have less rights than a car," said David Houston, of Mount Lebanon. He told the commissioners, "It seems like you have your priorities mixed up."

"I've lived in the township for over 51 years, I jaywalk every singe day," said another resident at the meeting.

He went on to say, "Going after the pedestrians? It's the cars, stupid! Same deal with the deer, it's the cars racing around this township."

But, Chief Lauth says pedestrians have a responsibility to keep the roads safe too.

"Historically, 50 percent of our crashes involving pedestrians and vehicles are the fault of the pedestrian," said the chief.

Police say over the past few years, several people have been injured and even killed while jaywalking in Mt. Lebanon.

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