BERLIN – Police in Berlin will launch a pedestrian awareness campaign in an effort to prevent accidents as traffic in town increases.
The Berlin Police Department is expected to spend the coming weeks reminding both motorists and pedestrians of the laws pertaining to those on the street.
“We have to reeducate,” Chief Arnold Downing said. “It’s not a situation you can address once and think it’s taken care of.”
Downing told town officials this week that his department would be making a concerted effort to remind the public of pedestrian laws as the busy summer season arrives. He says there’s a lot of confusion among pedestrians and motorists alike regarding the laws.
“We’re trying to get a little prevention out there,” he said. “Undoubtedly we’ve had more pedestrian traffic the last 18 months than we’ve ever had. We’re looking at individuals not knowing what the laws are.”
Officers will be reminding those on the streets of their responsibilities and will also use the town’s website and other forms of communication to share pedestrian safety messages.
The town is seeing an increase in both vehicle and pedestrian traffic and will continue to during the summer. Downing says it’s up to everyone to ensure accidents don’t take place.
“It’s a shared responsibility,” he said. “Pedestrians should use crosswalks when available.”
Downing has heard from citizens with pedestrian safety concerns, particularly as popular businesses like Island Creamery regularly see lines out their doors. He stressed that whether there were lines or not people should stay out of the road. He also said sidewalks should be kept clear of impediments so those on foot could use them.
He believes that some educational outreach by his department will ensure the town remains safe.
“A lot of people aren’t even thinking about it,” Downing said.
He wants to make sure Berlin doesn’t experience incidents like those that have taken place in Ocean City.
“We’re trying to stay ahead of something,” he said. “We don’t want to wait. We’ve seen folks in the street.”
