Springfield, Mo. ~ Springfield, Mo. - In the wake of four pedestrian fatalities in 2025, all involving individuals crossing the street outside of designated crosswalks, the Springfield Police Department is emphasizing the importance of safe street-crossing practices. As a result, the department is urging pedestrians to follow best practices to prevent future tragedies and ensure the safety of everyone in the community.

These incidents have brought to light the need for pedestrians to use crosswalks and practice safe behaviors when navigating roadways. According to Sgt. Ben Haines, supervisor of SPD's Traffic Unit, "Pedestrian safety is about being informed and cautious, and we encourage everyone to follow the laws designed to keep them safe." The safest place for pedestrians to cross the road is at a crosswalk, signal or intersection. To help remember these best practices, pedestrians are encouraged to Use Your WITS - Watch and be seen by motorists, Identify risks, Take the safest route across, and Stay alert.

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But it's not just pedestrians who play a role in ensuring safe streets. Motorists are also being urged to do their part by watching for crosswalks and yielding to pedestrians using them. "We all have a responsibility to keep our roads safe for everyone," said Sgt. Haines.

In addition to emphasizing safety measures, pedestrians are also being reminded of Springfield's pedestrian traffic laws. These include Sec. 106-452, 106-453, 106-454, and 106-455 of the city ordinance which outline essential pedestrian safety practices.

For example, pedestrians must use designated crosswalks on major roads and obey all signals at intersections with traffic lights. If sidewalks are available, walking on adjacent roadways is prohibited. Additionally, there are specific ordinances in place for high-volume or high-speed limit roadways that aim to ensure public safety between pedestrians and drivers.

The Springfield Police Department will be working diligently to educate the public on these laws and enforce them to promote pedestrian safety. This effort aligns with the city's commitment to safer streets, which has been ongoing since the launch of the nationally recognized SGF Yields pedestrian safety campaign in 2017.

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Through a partnership with Springfield Public Works, the SPD has made significant progress in improving crosswalk compliance and overall safety for motorists and pedestrians through education, engineering, and enforcement. To learn more about SGF Yields and get additional safety tips, visit springfieldmo.gov/SGFYields.

Furthermore, in late 2024, Springfield City Council adopted the Safer Streets SGF Plan which implements the Vision Zero safety strategy. The ultimate goal is to eliminate traffic fatalities by 2040 and disabling injury crashes by 2050. This aligns with the ongoing efforts of the Safer Streets SGF Plan. To find out more about this plan and how to get involved, visit springfieldmo.gov/saferstreets.

In conclusion, it is crucial for both pedestrians and drivers to be aware of their responsibilities on the road in order to ensure safe streets for everyone. By following designated crosswalks and obeying traffic signals, we can all play a part in preventing future tragedies and achieving Springfield's goal of safer streets.

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