On Friday May 7th, the Medford Police Department Traffic Team and the Jackson County Sheriff's OfficeTraffic Team conducted a joint agency Targeted Pedestrian Safety Operation near Hedrick Middle School at the intersection of Jackson Street at N.Keene Way Drive. The operation focused on drivers failing to yield the right of way to pedestrians in the marked crosswalk at that intersection. Prior to the operation the Medford Police Department had received multiple complaints about drivers failing to stop for pedestrians in the crosswalks in the area of Hedrick Middle School during school hours. 

This operation was conducted to raise awareness and increase pedestrian safety through the enforcement of pedestrian right of way laws with the use of a decoy pedestrian. The Targeted Pedestrian Operation took place from 10:00 am until 12:30 pm. Prior to the operation (7:30 am - 10:00 am) Officers and Deputies patrolled the area around Hedrick Middle School and North Medford High School for vehicles speeding within the posted school zones from.

During the Targeted Pedestrian Safety Operation 13 citations and 3 warnings were issued for Failure to Stop and Remain Stopped for a Pedestrian. There was also 2 citations issued for Failure to Stop for Bus Safety Lights. The results of the entire operation are listed below. The Medford Police Department has conducted several traffic safety operations within school zones this year and will continue to do so throughout the school year as we make traffic safety a priority.  

We remind drivers of the Oregon laws that require a driver must stop and remain stopped if a pedestrian is walking in your lane of traffic or the lane adjacent, remembering this applies on single and multi-lane roadways.  Oregon law also prohibits passing a stopped vehicle at a marked or unmarked crosswalk at an intersection if the vehicle is stopped to permit a pedestrian to cross the roadway.

The information below is for the other enforcement action taken during the entire operation from 7:30 am - 12:30 pm.

13 - Failure to Stop and Remain Stopped for a Pedestrian

2 - Failure to Stop for Bus Safety Lights

12 - Violation of the Posted Speed (20 MPH) in a School Zone

6 - Cell Phone Violations

7 - Failure to Use Seatbelt

2 - Driving Uninsured

3 - Driving While Suspended (1- Felony suspended)

14 - Warnings for Miscellaneous Violations