<body><div><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1eM5v3_0wBjfzvv00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1eM5v3_0wBjfzvv00" width="1200" height="630" >SGF Yields has announced an all-time high of 66.49% of drivers yielding to pedestrians at crosswalks across Springfield.This achievement, celebrated during October's Pedestrian Safety Month, emphasizes the effectiveness of the city's ongoing safety initiatives.The new yield rate, reported in the program's third-quarter assessment for 2024, reflects compliance at six selected intersections, marking the highest percentage since the pedestrian safety program's inception in 2017 when only 25% of drivers yielded.Mandy Buettgen-Quinn, a Traffic Safety Professional with SGF Yields, said this success is due to a combination of “consistent enforcement efforts (yield checks) and ongoing infrastructure improvements.” “Our data clearly shows that crosswalk enforcement is having a positive effect on all crosswalks, but enforcement is only one piece of our pedestrian safety program,” said Buettgen-Quinn. “Public Works is constantly adding and improving crosswalks, and we are also working hard to reach pedestrians and drivers with educational messages.” Matthew Popejoy, 19, is a Springfield resident who primarily walks everywhere; he only recently bought a car.“I walk around Springfield every day. I walk to school, walk to work, to the grocery store,” Popejoy said. “I've noticed more drivers stopping for me at crosswalks. It seems like they are paying more attention.”The crosswalk assessments, conducted quarterly by the City’s Public Works Traffic Operations division, provide insights into driver behavior. Each quarter, two locations are evaluated as a control group, with the remaining sites chosen from each of the city's four council zones. “Looking at the six crosswalk study sites, I cross three of them weekly if not daily,” said Popejoy. “I cross near Grant Ave and Talmage to get to my friend’s house a lot, where I feel like it is hit or miss to get cars to stop for you.”During the third-quarter 2024 crosswalk study, 49% of drivers were found to yield to pedestrians crossing at Grant Ave. near Talmage St., 84% yielded at Boonville Ave. near Central St. and 73% yielded at St. Louis Ave. by the Expo Center.“I cross at Booneville (Ave.) near Central (St.) to get to school daily as well as St. Louis (St.) at the Expo Center any time I am downtown with my friends,” said Popejoy. “I have noticed cars stop frequently for pedestrians there, maybe because they know it is a walkable area. They are more attentive to crosswalks, so it makes sense that those two study sites have the highest percent of drivers yielding.”Findings at the other three study sites were that 60% yielded at Bennett St. and Delaware Ave., 57% yielded at Lone Pine Ave. near Allen Dr., and 31% yielded at Broadmoor St. and Weaver Ave.“While it is great that drivers are yielding more than before, it is still an issue to prioritize improving,” said Popejoy. “No one should have to risk their safety by simply walking to work.” In conjunction with these positive statistics, SGF Yields will host its fourth annual Lantern Walk on Saturday, Oct. 19. The event, in partnership with six local neighborhoods—Woodland Heights, Rountree, Delaware, West Central, Galloway Village, and Brentwood—aims to engage the community in pedestrian safety. Families are invited to craft lanterns and participate in a one-mile walk, encountering volunteer-led stations that provide safety tips for both walkers and drivers.For more information about Crosswalk Yield Checks and the SGF Yields pedestrian safety program, please visit springfieldmo.gov/sgfyieldsSubscribe to The Standard's free weekly newsletter here.</div></body>

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SGF Yields reports record-high driver yield rate at Springfield crosswalks

SGF Yields has announced an all-time high of 66.49% of drivers yielding to pedestrians at crosswalks across Springfield. This achievement, celebrated during October's Pedestrian Safety Month, emphasizes the effectiveness of the city's ongoing safety initiatives. The new yield rate, reported in the program's third-quarter assessment for 2024, reflects compliance at...