Grant Could Increase Pedestrian Safety in Greenfield

The Greenfield Police Department has received a highway safety grant from the state to improve pedestrian safety.

Since Jan. 1, 2011, the police department has investigated eight personal injury accidents involving pedestrians, a number Sergeant Dave Patrick finds alarming and attributes to motorists not yielding to pedestrians as required.

"State law requires drivers of vehicles to yield to pedestrians when they are crossing in a crosswalk without exception," Patrick said in a news release.

The grant will allow officers to specifically target vehicles not yielding to pedestrians and issue citations. Officers will be deployed in unmarked vehicles watching pedestrians to make sure vehicles are yielding. The fine amounts for failing to yield to a pedestrian range from $63.60 to $145.