Eugene Police Department conducts pedestrian safety operation at 17th and Hilyard, issues citations for violations

Eugene, OR – The Eugene Police Traffic Safety Unit conducted a special pedestrian safety operation at the intersection of 17th and Hilyard on April 18, 2025, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. During this two-hour operation, TSU officers used a decoy pedestrian to walk within a marked crosswalk while monitoring traffic behavior.

With college students crossing the street to access the University of Oregon, multiple vehicles were observed failing to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians. Some pedestrians, distracted by their phones, were not aware of their surroundings and narrowly avoided being struck.

The operation yielded 143 total pedestrians crossing within the crosswalk, with 263 vehicles stopping appropriately. TSU officers made 23 traffic stops, resulting in nine citations and over 20 written warnings. Citations issued included violations for failure to stop for pedestrians, speeding, driving uninsured, and cellphone use while driving.

The operation is part of the Eugene Police Department’s ongoing efforts to promote safety on the roads. “We want everyone to get where they are going safely,” said Sgt. Nate Pieske. In the coming months, similar operations will be conducted focusing on pedestrian and bicycle safety, distracted driving, and speed enforcement across high-traffic areas in Eugene.

Eugene Police remind both drivers and pedestrians to act with “due regard” for safety when navigating areas with high foot traffic.