FAIRVIEW PARK, Ohio — The Fairview Park Police Department is sending out an alert for drivers amid a new pedestrian pathway and crosswalk in the city.
Cleveland Metroparks' Mastick Road Connector Trail recently opened on the Mastick Road hill in the southern part of Fairview Park. The pathway leads from Eaton Road at the top, to Valley Parkway at the bottom as a way to connect Fairview Park with the Metroparks' Rocky River Reservation.
In a letter posted on the department's Facebook page, Fairview Park Police Chief Paul Shepard noted that officials are specifically concerned about the new crosswalk at Eaton Road.
"There is a yellow warning sign with flashing lights at the crosswalk alerting traffic of pedestrians in the crosswalk. So far, the pathway has been very popular," Shepard noted. "We have received several complaints that cars are not stopping for the flashing lights on the crosswalk and reports of near misses. We need help educating both drivers and pedestrians of proper etiquette at the crosswalk."
So what is the proper etiquette?
Shepard says the yellow signals are warning lights (not traffic control signals) to warn drivers of pedestrians either preparing to cross or crossing the street. While drivers are not obligated to stop for the signals, they must yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk. Pedestrians must wait for breaks in traffic to begin crossing.
"Thousands of vehicles travel that area and it is a cut through for vehicles coming from Cleveland to the southwestern suburbs," Shepard noted. "A large portion of the drivers are not residents of Fairview Park but are merely driving through."
Shepard says the department is increasing signage in the area and have stepped up enforcement efforts.
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