AM850.com

Starting this week, Gainesville drivers will be facing more than warnings if they don't yield to pedestrians. Motorists who fail to yield to pedestrians can result in a $154 fine. Sergeant of the Police Department and Traffic Safety Team Joe Raulerson says that while they may be cracking down on drivers, pedestrians should not expect to escape consequences for jay-walking. He feels, however, that this law breaking is a result from the unsafety of our streets. Raulerson says if a pedestrian is caught jay-walking they should expect a citation and be given information on pedestrian laws. Right now though, he says their focus is crosswalk safety. He says the percentage of drivers yielding has increased from 20 to 49-percent. They have a goal to reach over 60-percent and he feels that so far, the results have been promising.