The City of Blaine has introduced a new ordinance aiming to enhance public safety by setting restrictions on the use of traffic medians. Ordinance 24-2556, effective as of September 4, 2024, prohibits individuals from remaining on medians in close proximity to high-traffic intersections unless they are actively crossing the roadway in a manner consistent with traffic signals and state law.

Massive daily vehicle counts, ranging from 15,000 on University Avenue to a staggering 51,000 on Highway 65, compelled the City to act on what officials have deemed a growing public safety concern. The medians, which often feature landscaping, and traffic devices, and are not designed to harbor pedestrians, have been hubs for people lingering far too long — causing distractions for the drivers whose attention should be unfalteringly on the road, and dangers for the pedestrians themselves, as stated in the ordinance's findings.

The ordinance clearly stipulates that "No person shall be on a median within 300 feet of a high-traffic intersection unless the person is in the process of legally crossing the roadway through a safety zone or crosswalk." The legislation also includes a behavioral clause, noting it shall be considered prima facie evidence of a violation if "a person stays on a median through two consecutive opportunities to cross the roadway in accordance with the crossing signal and state law."

There are, however, specific exceptions to this prohibition. They include provisions for law enforcement and rescue activities, emergency vehicle repairs, and for public works or utility staff conducting their duties. Those found in contravention of this new rule may face misdemeanor charges, a detail that underscores the city's commitment to enforcing the new public safety measure.

Community reactions to these new regulations have been a mix of support and concern. Some locals believe that these changes will unequivocally benefit the flow of traffic and reduce incident rates at these perilous intersections. The intention behind this chapter, as outlined in the text, is "to establish a narrowly tailored regulation intended to protect public safety, health, and welfare related to pedestrians in roadways and drivers passing through high-traffic intersections."