Superior Police Department Working to Improve Pedestrian Safety

SUPEIROR, Wis. — The Superior’s Police Department is working to emphasize pedestrian safety, to improve what they say is the walkability of the city.

The public safety campaign will include Facebook posts explain laws and statutes for both pedestrians and drivers. Superior’s Chief of Police Paul Winterscheidt explains just what the public can expect.

“We’re starting a pedestrian safety campaign in the City of Superior to improve the safety and walkability of our city. So, what you’re going to see is increased enforcement of pedestrian safety laws, and also increased public awareness of those laws. We’re going to be posting messages to our department, Facebook, that explains some of the ins and outs of the various pedestrian safety laws in Wisconsin,” said Chief Winterscheidt. “We’ve had an increase in the last several years of, pedestrian versus vehicle collisions. And so, we’re trying to impact that.”

The chief also gave examples of just how detailed these laws can be.

“At a stoplight where there’s a traffic control signal. Pedestrians are responsible for following that traffic control signal and an uncontrolled intersection, which most intersections in the city of superior are. The drivers are responsible for stopping for pedestrians. Superior is really placed a priority on improving the walkability of the city and encouraging people to walk. So, we want to make sure we do our part and increase the safety, for people who want to walk,” explained Chief Winterscheidt.

The chief says the effort will include enforcement and public education of pedestrian laws and encourages everyone to watch for posts to the department’s Facebook.