[Source: Dianna M. Náñez, Arizona Republic] — Months before light rail makes its December debut, pedestrians and vehicles could face citations and hefty fines for crossing the tracks in the wrong spots. Tempe police started verbally warning pedestrians two weeks ago that they must use designated crosswalks along the 4 miles of light-rail tracks that run through downtown Tempe, around Arizona State University, and along Apache Boulevard.
But step outside the crosswalk or jaywalk across the track beginning Sept. 1, the week after ASU students return for the fall semester, and there could be a $156 fine. Metro Light Rail officials and Tempe police said the warnings and fines are part of a public-safety effort to prepare people for trains traveling up to the posted speed limit on city streets beginning Dec. 27. “We have to train them how to get around light rail long before it starts,” said Howard Steere, Metro public-involvement manager. Metro is working with ASU to educate students and staff about light rail.
While Tempe police said they expect pedestrians to use crosswalks now, the risk of injuries involving the rail line has increased the need to clamp down on jaywalkers, said Brandon Banks, a police spokesman. “Obviously, it’s going to be new to everybody in the Valley. We want to start teaching people the importance of obeying all the light-rail traffic devices,” he said.
Steere said Metro is working with Tempe and Phoenix traffic and police departments to study pedestrian and traffic patterns in high-traffic areas such as near ASU’s fraternity row and Chase Field in downtown Phoenix. Banks said the police probably would issue citations under a state statute, although it has not been decided. “More than likely, it will be failure to obey a traffic-control device. That citation’s typical fine is $156,” he said. Banks said the fine could change if the state decides to adopt a law specific to light-rail violations. Hillary Foose, a Metro spokeswoman, said the agency is working with the Phoenix Police Department and the city’s streets team to develop a “light-rail-specific ordinance.”
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