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Mt. Lebanon resident Jay Blount tends to adhere to pedestrian safety laws. That shouldn't come as a surprise considering that Blount is originally from the West Coast, where jaywalking laws are strictly enforced.

"That was just part of living out in Los Angeles," Blount said. "You went to the corner of an intersection to cross the street. It wasn't that big of an inconvenience."

But this is Mt. Lebanon, not L.A., and some residents, including Commissioner David Humphreys, are opposed to an amended pedestrian safety ordinance which would fine jaywalkers $52.50.

Pedestrians would face charges if they cross a street when facing a "don't walk" sign, steady yellow light or a red light. They would also face a fine in the business districts of Washington Road, Beverly Road and Castle Shannon Boulevard if they do not cross at a crosswalk.

"I just don't think it's practical to have to walk all the way to the crosswalks to get across the street," resident David Schraven said.

Humphreys agreed.

"I don't like this at all," he said. "We should put the onus on the drivers. Pedestrians already have a very big penalty if they jaywalk; they could lose their life."

Since August 1999, 41 pedestrians have been hit by vehicles in the municipality. Mt. Lebanon police said that in nearly half of those incidents, the pedestrian was at fault.

Two of those accidents were fatalities -- one last fall and one in March.

Concerned about these statistics, the Mt. Lebanon Pedestrian Safety Committee has asked Mt. Lebanon commissioners to adopt an amended ordinance that lowers the jaywalking fine from $85 to $52.50. The jaywalking ordinance is enforced under the Pennsylvania Motor Vehicle Code; however, the steep fine has prevented police from issuing citations.

Arguing that steps must be taken to increase pedestrian safety, Lt. Ken Truver defended the ordinance, asserting that curtailing jaywalking is part of a wider pedestrian safety initiative.

"This is not meant to be punitive. We're also trying to educate the public about traffic safety," said Truver, one of 16 members on the committee.

Truver said they also are focused on improving signs and crosswalks in the community and implementing an educational campaign to promote safety.

"We're also keeping our eyes out on motorists who don't yield to pedestrians when they have the right of way," he added. Fines for motorists are double at $105.

University of Pittsburgh law professor Michael Madison, another West Coast transplant now living in Mt. Lebanon, said the reduced jaywalking fine is a reasonable compromise.

"However, as a resident, you hope that the police use this mostly as an awareness campaign consistent with public safety, rather than a way to make extra money for the municipality," Madison said.

Commission President Dale Colby said he hopes to add the ordinance to the agenda for discussion at the commission's Monday meeting.

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