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A new traffic light being built on Apache Boulevard is part of a joint initiative between ASU and the Tempe police to increase bicycle and pedestrian safety.

The effort to protect pedestrians on Apache was largely initiated by the hit-and-run death of to-be ASU freshman, Jessica Woodin, just before the beginning of the fall 2001 semester. Woodin was struck and killed as she walked across the intersection of Apache Boulevard and McAllister Avenue.

Stewart Adams, ASU police crime prevention coordinator, said the obvious reason for the lights is to slow down traffic.

"We have been trying to do it for years, but the city of Tempe didn't want to until now," he said. "The loss of the girl's life last year helped encourage them to take action."

Now, due to growth and city planning changes, the city is making an effort to make Tempe more pedestrian-friendly by promoting safety.

One light is already functioning on Normal Avenue and Apache Boulevard, between the pre-existing McAllister Avenue and College Avenue lights. The other is on Forest Avenue and Apache Boulevard, which should be operational in the next few days.

Tempe police is conducting a one-week enforcement effort, which began on Tuesday and will continue until Sunday, hoping to heighten public awareness regarding bike and traffic safety and DUI enforcement.

They will have anywhere between nine and 14 officers targeting the intersections of Rural Road and University Drive; Rural Road and Apache Boulevard; and Apache Boulevard and McAllister Avenue to hand out traffic safety pamphlets.

Traffic Investigation Sgt. Done Yennie said officers have issued approximately 450 warnings and about 100 citations to violators, with offenses ranging from riding against traffic to not yielding to pedestrians.

A bicyclist can be cited for the same offenses as a driver.

If a bicyclist runs a stop sign, they could be slapped with a $145 fine. Not using arm and hand signals is another $145. A common offense, biking against the flow of traffic, can tack on even more up to the bill.

If ticketed, bicyclists have an opportunity to take a bike diversion class for $15 instead of paying the entire fine.

"This week we will be concentrating on educating people through verbal warnings and pamphlets," Yennie said. "Next week we will focus more on giving citations."

Officers will be out during the busiest parts of the day from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and again from 11 a.m. to noon.

Yennie also said police will be conducting a DUI sweep this weekend and on Friday, including a multi-agency task force, worked by Tempe, ASU and Scottsdale police camped out on the corner of Dorsey Lane and University Drive.

Reach the reporter at christina.viloria@asu.edu.


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