"Pedestrian Decoy" Operations
Another way to bring attention to problems with drivers not yielding to pedestrians is through a "pedestrian decoy" when police officers in highly visible civilian clothes pose as pedestrians crossing the street while other hidden officers observe their attempts. If a driver violates safe crossing rules by failing to yield to the pedestrian, the hidden officers pursue and apprehend violators. Because it is such a highly visible approach, it often garners media interest and publicizes the need for drivers to be aware of pedestrians.
To execute a successful "pedestrian decoy" operation, law enforcement should complete the following steps:
- Identify high-risk locations for pedestrians and communicate these locations to law enforcement, traffic engineers, schools and the public.
- Observe the locations to see the types of violations that are occurring.
- Calculate a reasonable amount of time for a driver to see and react to the pedestrian, and mark that distance back from the crossing with a cone or sign. One measure would be the “slide-to-stop” formula using a speed 10 mph over the posted limit.
- Dress the “pedestrian” or police officer in high-visibility civilian clothes. He or she should not step into the street if the motor vehicle has passed the safe distance cone.
- Identify violators and apprehend them. Other officers observe the crossing attempts from a hidden location that allows them to pursue and apprehend violators. If a concealed location is not feasible, the decoy officer can carry a radio to alert fellow officers of a violator.
Effective programs operate in Miami Beach, Florida, and in Annapolis and Montgomery counties in Maryland. Additional cities in Washington, Oregon, Nevada, Georgia, Maryland and New Mexico are actively pursuing the concept.
Tool: "Pedestrian Decoy" Operation
Definition
Police officers pose as pedestrians to identify drivers who fail to stop for crossing pedestrians.
Advantages
- Can be high visibility through media coverage.
- Can quickly identify offenders.
- Poses no threat to actual pedestrians.
Considerations
- Requires police resources, which may include overtime pay.
- Needs to be done at regular intervals.
Putting It Into Practice: "Pedestrian Decoy"
Miami Beach, FL
Miami Beach, Florida implemented a successful ‘pedestrian decoy’ operation. Police conducted a two-week driver yielding enforcement program using informational fliers, written and verbal warnings, decoy pedestrians and saturation enforcement operations along two corridors with a high pedestrian crash experience.
The ‘pedestrian decoy’ operation increased the percentage of motorists yielding to pedestrians. These increases were sustained for a period of a year with minimal additional enforcement, according to results from an evaluation of the program.[10]