Hellertown Pedestrian Safety Improvements Discussed

The borough of Hellertown and borough police are making a concerted effort to help improve pedestrian safety along the Main Street corridor, and the results are already evident, council was told Monday.

In the past month the police have conducted two crosswalk details during which they have distributed educational information about pedestrian safety laws to motorists and people on foot or bicycle.

“They both have been very successful,” borough manager Cathy Hartranft said of the details.

The contractor who maintains the four traffic lights in the borough conducted annual maintenance on them last month and found that the timing for pedestrians at those crosswalks exceeds minimum requirements, Hartranft also reported.

The borough’s engineering firm, Barry Isett & Associates, is recommending however that pedestrian countdown indicators be installed at the intersections with traffic lights, to help improve safety.

Hartranft said grant funding is available for those indicators.

Borough staff recently met with Lehigh and Northampton Transportation Authority (LANTA) officials about the 29 bus stops along Main Street with an eye toward possibly removing some of them in areas where they could cause confusion for motorists who may mistake individuals waiting for a bus for pedestrians waiting to cross the street, or vice versa.

Hartranft said the construction of a couple of bus shelters along Main Street was also discussed at the meeting.

Thermal tape that will help improve the visibility of crosswalks was to be installed Tuesday, and fluorescent orange “take it to make it” flags have been ordered for the crosswalk at Main Street and Hampton Avenue, near Lost Tavern Brewing.

The use of these flags will help pedestrians be more visible when they cross there.

Lastly, Hartranft reported that signs promoting Hellertown as a pedestrian-friendly community have been ordered and will be placed at either end of Main Street.

“We are moving forward…taking this pedestrian safety initiative very seriously,” she told council.

Borough council president Tom Rieger announced that in combination with the development of a new borough website a mini e-newsletter was recently blasted to about 1,100 subscribers for the first time.

This newsletter contained the same pedestrian safety information that police have been distributing, he said. See below for the information from the newsletter.

“I encourage everyone to sign up for that (email) list,” Rieger said. Click here to register for the email list.

One of the most vocal advocates for pedestrian safety in Hellertown in recent years, avid walker and Main Street resident Lee Weidner, delivered some rare praise regarding the ongoing effort to help make the borough a safer place for everyone.

“It’s improved,” he said of pedestrian safety, adding that he crosses Main Street daily. “I’m very happy that automobiles and trucks are beginning to get the message. I really appreciate it.”

Crosswalk Safety Tips! 

Whether you walk, bike or drive, take 5 seconds to follow crosswalk safety guidelines.

Pedestrians:
• Always cross at marked crosswalks. You forfeit your rights as a pedestrian if you cross elsewhere.
• Obey any pedestrian signals and look left-right-left to make sure the road is clear in both directions before crossing.
• If a vehicle approaches, make eye contact with the driver to be sure s/he sees you before you cross.
• Look before walking past stopped vehicles. Do not cross just because a driver waves you on. Be sure all lanes are clear first.
• Remember that bicyclists are not considered pedestrians unless they are walking their bikes. Otherwise, they are considered vehicles.
Bicyclists:
• Yield to pedestrians.
• Remember that bicyclists are not considered pedestrians unless they are walking their bikes. Otherwise, they are considered vehicles and forfeit their rights as pedestrians in the case of an accident or citation.
• Use marked bike paths or multi-use paths when available.
• Obey vehicular traffic signals and laws on the roadways.
• Use extra caution as you transition between bike paths, roads and sidewalks. Be aware that your actions are unpredictable to drivers and pedestrians.
Drivers:
• Yield to pedestrians in crosswalks and at intersections.
• Be prepared to stop at all marked crosswalks. Stay alert and reduce speed in areas with crosswalks.
• Be alert for bicyclists and skateboarders whose approaches to the crosswalk may be much swifter than those of pedestrians.
• Come to a complete stop if pedestrians are crossing or preparing to cross.
• Wait until pedestrians have crossed at least one lane past the lane you are in before resuming travel.
• Never pass another vehicle that has stopped or is slowing down at a crosswalk