A police officer in San Francisco has taken unconventional steps to ensure traffic safety. Lieutenant Jonathan Ozol swapped his regular uniform for a colorful inflatable chicken costume to find out how often drivers neglect to yield to pedestrians.
This traffic safety exercise is one of several conducted by the police department over the last six months under the city’s Vision Zero plan.Officers, dressed in various eye-catching costumes like a unicorn and Sesame Street’s Big Bird, cross intersections to test drivers’ attentiveness.
During Monday’s exercise, Ozol crossed Alemany Boulevard and Rousseau Street, giving drivers enough distance to notice him. Despite the clear visibility, many motorists did not stop, with some even coming dangerously close to him.
Drivers who failed to yield received fines of up to $400, according to a New York Post report.
“If you don’t see someone in a giant chicken costume, then we really have a problem,” Ozol told SF Gate.
This traffic safety exercise is one of several conducted by the police department over the last six months under the city’s Vision Zero plan.Officers, dressed in various eye-catching costumes like a unicorn and Sesame Street’s Big Bird, cross intersections to test drivers’ attentiveness.
During Monday’s exercise, Ozol crossed Alemany Boulevard and Rousseau Street, giving drivers enough distance to notice him. Despite the clear visibility, many motorists did not stop, with some even coming dangerously close to him.
Drivers who failed to yield received fines of up to $400, according to a New York Post report.
“If you don’t see someone in a giant chicken costume, then we really have a problem,” Ozol told SF Gate.
Ozol further said that the exercise is making an impact, saying, “Drivers seem more aware, more cognizant—certainly when they see the chicken. One more person that yields, that’s one more person that’s safe.”
Captain Amy Hurwitz, as quoted by the New York Post, said she didn’t want drivers to get run over, but the bright costume color made it hard to miss. “I don’t want them to get run over. But the costume is so bright, it’s like, how can you miss it?”
Although the exact number of violations was not recorded, eight drivers were fined within the first half hour. Hurwitz estimated that previous exercises resulted in 30 to 40 citations each time, according to a New York Post report.
