Seaford Pedestrian Safety Ordinance takes effect

SEAFORD, Del. – The City of Seaford is notifying the public that the Pedestrian Safety Ordinance is effective.

This ordinance prohibits pedestrians from being in a median unless that person is in the process of crossing and/or pedestrians and vehicles stopping or loitering within 200 feet of an intersection at any street or right-of-way within the limits of the City of Seaford. The 200-foot line has been marked on the affected roadways on either side of the intersections.

This ordinance was brought forth in an effort to help public safety during a trend of rising pedestrian and vehicular accidents. In Seaford, there were 13 pedestrian crashes in 2021, compared to just 6 in 2020. According to the Office of Highway Safety, there were eight fatal pedestrian crashes from January through March 2022 across the state, compared to two during the same time period in 2021.

Examples of intersections that this ordinance applies to, but is not limited to, include the intersections of Sussex Highway at Tharp Road and Herring Run Road and at the intersections of Sussex Highway and Norman Eskridge Highway and Middleford Road.

Officers will hand out flyers to pedestrians in violation of the new ordinance, and warnings will be given before enforcement to save lives and educate the public.