After years of encouraging drivers on campus to yield to pedestrians, University police will begin to crack down on jaywalking this year.
Police eventually might use warnings and perhaps even fines to dissuade pedestrians from crossing outside of marked crosswalks, forcing drivers to yield or brake unexpectedly.
But before police start handing out tickets, the UNC Pedestrian Safety Committee will conduct an informative program to educate pedestrians, said Randy Young, Department of Public Safety spokesman.
"We believe that if and when this program is instituted, warnings would be issued initially instead of infractions, and (the warnings) would then last for an indeterminate time," Young said.
The committee has yet to begin its work, officials said, though they expect to start later this year.
The group will use all available modes of contact to ensure that the entire campus is aware of existing rules and enforcement methods.
"Pedestrians should be aware of their surroundings in any case - follow signals, walk in marked crosswalks, and maintain eye contact, if possible, with drivers," Young said.
If police begin fining jaywalkers, costs to the ticketed person would run $120 - $10 for a pedestrian violation and $110 for court costs.
"But that's a big if," said DPS Chief Derek Poarch. "I hope we're never going to get to that point."
