PINE KNOLL SHORES, (WITN) The Labor Day holiday is a busy day for law enforcement as many departments have drinking and driving enforcements, and saturation patrols on the beach and water, making sure everyone stays safe.
In Pine Knoll Shores, police had an emphasis on making sure people walking to the beach can do so safely.
Pine Knoll Shores Sgt. Cory Bishop says, "This crosswalk that we're at today is one of our main beach accesses, so it's extremely important that all vehicles are paying attention to these crosswalks. Whenever a pedestrian is in the crosswalk, on the highway, crossing within a marked crosswalk, the driver has to yield for that pedestrian period."
NC DOT says our state ranks as one of the least safe states for pedestrians and bicyclists with more 3,800 being hit by cars each year.
The program Watch For Me NC, and local police departments like Pine Knoll Shores, are trying to reduce that number by talking to both drivers and those crossing the roadways about being safe.
Sgt. Bishop says, "We're just bringing awareness to the crosswalks, educating the public on what the law states, which is within the crosswalk, which means having a foot on the black top pavement, and also educating drivers on when they should yield."
Officers say crosswalk safety is not just on drivers though.
Bishop says, "Don't step out in front of a vehicle, make sure the vehicle has enough time to stop and maybe signal with your hand that you are going to cross so they know you are crossing. Don't just step out without looking."
Officers with the Pine Knoll Shores Police Department say this enforcement is part of their partnership with Watch For Me NC, and they have seen great results since starting the campaign to make crosswalks safer.