Pedestrian traffic on rise, raises concerns

By Eddie West Staff Writer

With an increase in  businesses in downtown Carthage, there’s increased concern for pedestrian accidents.

Carthage police have stepped up patroling of the downtown crosswalks after concerns for pedestrian safety were raised during a recent city council meeting.

Some months ago, the city marked crosswalks and set up portable signs in the downtown area for drivers noting pedestrian have the right of way when crossing the street.

While crosswalks are clearly marked with white strips along Main Street in the downtown Carthage that’s not the case in all locations.

However, pedestrians still have the right of way in most cases even if a crosswalk is not marked, according to the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT).

“Most intersections in Tennessee don’t have any striping at all, but they are still legally designated places for pedestrians to cross the street. These are called ‘unmarked crosswalks’ and drivers must still yield the right of way to pedestrians in this type of crosswalk,” according to TDOT officials.

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