The Reno Police Department's Traffic Division is reminding everyone to be extra careful when walking on sidewalks and roadways.
Police say pedestrian-related accidents have been up in the past few years and they don't want you to become a victim.
"Pedestrians getting killed in traffic accidents is a huge problem," said Sgt. Joe Robinson of the Reno Police Department. "Last year, we had 11. This year, we've already had three. So, we're trying to keep those numbers down to zero."
With those startling statistics, officers conducted an undercover crosswalk sting in Midtown Reno Saturday.
"There's been a lot of redevelopment in Midtown," Sgt. Robinson said. "A lot of new businesses moving in and as a result, there's been a lot more traffic, both vehicular and pedestrian traffic down here."
They looked for distracted drivers, along with people who are not safely crossing the street.
Officers started the operation at 7:30 a.m. Saturday morning and throughout the day, cited 59 drivers and pedestrians.
Justin Dunaway, the owner of Polyesthers Costume Boutique says it's good to see police presence in the Midtown area. He tells Channel 2 News he's seen some bad accidents near his business.
"There was a person that got hit down the road here not long ago," he said. "I remember we were amazed by the dent that it put in the car. The person hit him so hard, the whole front of the car was smashed in."
Two sisters tell us they've had some close calls with vehicles while crossing the street.
"I go to the University," said University of Nevada Junior Shelby Forman. "So, it's always walking across the crosswalk. It's a lot of college students. So, they don't ever stop. Really, you have to run across the crosswalk."
"I'll be going to school in the morning and people will come really close to hitting me," 13-year old Brooke Forman said.
For Brooke, this is a reminder for when she gets her driver's license in about three years. She says she will make sure she will not become a distracted driver and put pedestrians in danger.
"I'll be kind of insane about that kind of stuff," she said. "I will probably pay a lot more attention to it, being a new driver. So, hopefully, I can keep that up.
Police say they've been focused on making the community more aware of pedestrian safety, and they say it all starts with education.
"That's when people really start to pay attention, is after they see this story because they don't know where we'll be next and they're afraid to get a ticket," Sgt. Robinson said. "If that's what it takes to save someone's life for fear of someone getting a ticket, then that's what we'll do."
Written by Adam Varahachaikol
