DUNMORE  - A PennDOT program educates older citizens about pedestrian safety, providing important guidelines on crossing streets and walking on roadways.  In 2005, PennDOT’s Mature Driver Task Force conducted a survey of mature drivers -- motorists 55 years of age and older -- to assess their concerns in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Pedestrian safety was one of the top issues, so the task force put together an educational program with safety guidelines.

The program, which began in the summer of 2007, will continue to be conducted through the fall of 2008 at senior centers in PennDOT District 4-0, which includes Pike, Wayne, Lackawanna Luzerne, Susquehanna and Wyoming counties. PennDOT representatives and task force members plan to visit 25 to 30 centers by the completion of the program.

“With pedestrian fatalities at 10 percent of all traffic crash deaths, pedestrian safety continues to be a major concern,” said George Roberts, PennDOT’s District Executive “Since older pedestrians represent a large portion of those numbers; we want to offer some helpful guidelines to prevent tragedies. We want to make a difference for senior pedestrians.”

The Pennsylvania Vehicle Code states when traffic-control signals are not in place or not in operation, the driver of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within any marked crosswalk or within any unmarked crosswalk at an intersection. Drivers convicted of an offense for not yielding to a pedestrian face a fines as well as points assessed to their drivers’ license.

Founded in 2000, the Mature Drivers Task Force is made up of members from various organizations, including PennDOT, AAA, AARP, county representatives, area agencies on aging, private businesses and senior citizens. The mission of the Mature Driver Task Force is to improve the safety and mobility of older Pennsylvanians.

For more information about the program for mature drivers or those interested in participating, contact PennDOT’s Mike Cotter at 570-963-3502.