Palmerton urges use of sidewalks after pedestrian death

Palmerton Borough Council is asking residents to err on the side of caution and walk on the sidewalks, rather than in the roadways.

The appeal comes after the death of 81-year-old Clair Fatzinger, of Lower Towamensing, earlier this month after being hit by a vehicle on Delaware Avenue.

“My main concern is, now again, I’m going to ask the people of Palmerton, please, if you’re walking in the streets with black clothing on, early in the morning, late at night — get to the sidewalks,” Mayor Chris Olivia said. “Find a place where you’re not in our streets.”

Crosswalks were also a topic of discussion during last week’s meeting.

“I think the other thing is — people have a false sense of security as a result of those crosswalks,” Hoffner said in reference to the crossings up Delaware Avenue.

Pennsylvania law says 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.

However, no pedestrian shall suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety and walk or run into the path of a vehicle which is so close as to constitute a hazard.

“Yes, vehicles do have to give the right of way to the pedestrian, however, we all know that doesn’t happen,” Hoffner said.

“So I’m urging people, please, when you come to those crosswalks, make sure a vehicle is going to stop first before you cross.”