The Hickory Police Department is initiating its traffic enforcement program, P.A.C.T., focusing on maintaining road safety by cracking down on common traffic violations which include following too closely, distracted driving, and speeding. The enforcement, which is part of the department's Pay Attention in City Traffic campaign, is slated to take place on 8th Street NE/Main Avenue NE, extending from 7th Avenue NE to the roundabout, and also on 3rd Avenue NE that stretches from Main Avenue to 2nd Street NE, as reported on the City of Hickory's official website.
In a bid to curb traffic-related accidents and infractions, the department has made it clear that its officers will keep a close eye on drivers' behavior and ensure compliance with set traffic rules, pedestrians on the other hand, are encouraged to use crosswalks and designated crossing areas, to obey signal indicators, and to wear reflective materials during night hours for better visibility. The City of Hickory's official announcement advises vehicular navigators to look out for pedestrians, specifically at crosswalks and designated crossings and caution is doubled at all intersections where the unexpected may occur pedestrians might be crossing.
Beyond the call for drivers' attention to bipedal wayfarers, there's a pointed reminder that cyclists are also sharing the roadways; motorists are therefore urged to exercise caution and courtesy. As per the Hickory Police Department's statement, bicycles are legally equivalent to vehicles under traffic laws, which means they too are bound by the same rules of the road, this includes signaling turns, stopping at traffic lights, and riding in the same direction as the surrounding flow of cars, trucks, and buses.
Overall, the goal of the P.A.C.T. program is to foster a safer environment for all who traverse Hickory's byways—as users of cars, bikes, or their own two feet—and the Hickory Police Department expresses gratitude for the community's adherence to regulations that protect its denizens, the statement concluded with a word of thanks to citizens for their part in bolstering the safety of the city, reaffirming the collective effort required for the safekeeping of Hickory's shared spaces and thoroughfares.
