Officials urge against jaywalking as traffic deaths increase in Wilmington

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Wilmington Police say there’s been more people struck and killed by drivers this year than last year. 

Police say the total number is twelve including one cyclist, nine pedestrians, and two people in a car. 

In July, police started their ‘Vision Zero’ initiative, to educate people and change the behavior of drivers and pedestrians.  

Joe Lachapelle is a special operations division lieutenant, and Brendan McInerney oversees the traffic unit. 

Both say the uptick is being fueled by one specific behavior. 

“We’re finding where these fatalities are happening, there is infrastructure in place for people to safely cross the road and that are not and they’re just not taking advantage of that infrastructure,” Lt. Lachapelle said. 

“Everybody we see Jay Walking, we try to talk to them so they understand we are not out there just to give tickets we want them to be educated that safety is our key not just enforcement,” McInerney said. 

Whether you’re walking, driving, or cycling, you need to stay alert at all times and obey the traffic laws, including crossing at light, in crosswalks.