As warmer weather brings more people outdoors, the Exeter Township Police Department is reminding both drivers and pedestrians to stay alert and understand their responsibilities on the road following a recent two-week pedestrian enforcement initiative.
Sergeant David Bentz of the Exeter Township Police Traffic Safety Unit said the department conducted the enforcement effort to help improve pedestrian safety and educate the public on laws surrounding crosswalks and roadway awareness.
“We want to get them out to the public and remind people their responsibilities with this nice weather, when pedestrians are out in the street,” Bentz said. “What both sides of that equation have to do: pedestrians have some responsibilities to make sure they’re crossing safely, but motorists also have to yield to those pedestrians when they’re in the crosswalk.”
According to PennDOT, there were 3,428 crashes involving pedestrians in Pennsylvania in 2024, resulting in 183 fatalities and 559 suspected serious injuries.
Bentz said the department chose the location for the enforcement detail because of recent pedestrian crashes in the township, including one fatal incident earlier this year.
“Sadly, in Exeter this year, we experienced pedestrians crossing the street, got run over by a motorist who was maybe not paying attention, and that was a fatal injury for one of those people,” Bentz said. “And the other person was seriously injured when that happened.”
He said drivers need to remain attentive, especially in parking lots, developments, and areas where pedestrians are present.
“Even in crosswalks, be prepared to stop,” Bentz said. “When the car’s moving and there’s people out there walking around, we want you to be paying attention.”
Pennsylvania law requires drivers to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks at both signalized and non-signalized intersections. It is also illegal for drivers to pass another vehicle stopped for a pedestrian in a crosswalk.
Bentz emphasized that pedestrians also have a responsibility to cross safely and remain aware of traffic.
“We look at it as a twofold problem,” Bentz said. “You have to look left, right, left before crossing. We kind of learned that at a young age in life.”
One point Bentz said many drivers may not realize is that crosswalk laws still apply even when pavement markings are absent.
“Even if a crosswalk isn’t marked, it’s still a crosswalk by definition,” Bentz said. “The law still applies. And if someone’s crossing the street, you need to yield to them.”
During the enforcement effort, officers used a trained pedestrian decoy to monitor whether drivers properly yielded at crosswalks. Drivers observed violating the law could receive warnings or citations depending on the circumstances.
Bentz also addressed the growing issue of distracted walking and driving, including the use of earbuds and cell phones.
“Hearing a car coming is just as important as seeing a car coming,” Bentz said while discussing pedestrians and joggers wearing headphones near traffic.
He also referenced Pennsylvania’s upcoming enforcement of Paul Miller’s Law, which begins June 5 and prohibits drivers from holding a cellphone while operating a vehicle.
PennDOT recommends pedestrians cross only at designated crosswalks when possible, wear bright or reflective clothing at night, avoid distractions, and make eye contact with approaching drivers before crossing. Motorists are encouraged to slow down near intersections and crosswalks, watch for turning pedestrians, and expect unexpected movement from children or others near the roadway.
Bentz closed the event with a reminder he said he gives at the end of every traffic safety interview.
“Wear your seatbelt as though your life depends on it because it really does,” he said.
