I recently visited Sandpoint, Idaho. At the edge of town is a sign, ';This is a pedestrian town'; So, what does that mean? If you are driving an out-of-state vehicle it is likely you will learn after being targeted by plain-clothed police carrying a video camera and wired to a patrol car. I saw a citizen (later learned a plain clothes policeman) barely step off the curb. I was in the intersection, so I slowly moved forward in a effort to allow him to move behind the vehicle, which I thought was the best safe situation. I was promptly issued a citation. The policeman asked if I saw the man step off the curb to which I replied, yes. He said he was a policeman. He told me I should have just stopped my car in the middle of the intersection and allowed the pedestrian even though he was barely off the curb to determine the move. Who knew this was the law!! Several locals came up to me and said I was targeted because of the out of state license and that is how the community makes its money. They figure I won%26#39;t want to return and protest since I am from out of state. They went on to say there were three of those policemen on the streets that day. They thought their police should be controlling traffic rather than running a scam such as this to finance their community. (Remember, these are the locals talking!!). I wonder if this is the way that northern Idaho wants to promote good tourism?? Be very cautious of this scam when in Sandpoint if your are from out of state.
Sandpoint police scam-pedestrian law for out of state...Hi Kay - You may also want to take note that this is very common in small towns in Minnesota. I lived in two small towns where this happened all the time. In Sandpoint it may be scam, but where I am from in Minnesota it is to reduce accidents between pedestrians and automobiles. Having visited the wonderful town of Sandpoint, I would also say that it is for safety reasons in Sandpoint too.
The bottom line, even if you are trying to be nice, is that pedestrians always have the right of way and vehicles have to stop to allow the right of way. It is a common law in many states.
Sandpoint police scam-pedestrian law for out of state...I work in Sandpoint and walk all over Downtown, People from out of state just drive thru town like they own it. Walking in this town is Dangerous. So its not a scam
My husband grew up in Sandpoint and IT IS a police-scam. He knew police officers there and that is what they said too...
yea you are all right it is a scam I would advise all out of state tourist to stay away from sandpoint.
yea you are all right it is a scam I would advise all out of state tourist to stay away from sandpoint.
this may seem like a scam but in all honesty drivers to busy or in to much of a hurry have killed many walkers. this is not the only state to use these tactics. in Oregon they will put plain clothed officers on the streets all the time and it does not matter where they are if they step off of the curb all traffic must stop[ they are called stings in Oregon] If you visit this area again you will need to use the same driving tactics for the wildlife up here this area is known for the suicidal deer, moose, elk, and don`t forget the bear.
this may seem like a scam but in all honesty drivers to busy or in to much of a hurry have killed many walkers. this is not the only state to use these tactics. in Oregon they will put plain clothed officers on the streets all the time and it does not matter where they are if they step off of the curb all traffic must stop[ they are called stings in Oregon] If you visit this area again you will need to use the same driving tactics for the wildlife up here this area is known for the suicidal deer, moose, elk, and don`t forget the bear.
Sandpoint is a wonderful town and I recommend it, police scam or not. The place has a lot more soul than Coeur d%26#39;Alene! Our favorite stop is Mountain Monarch Coffee, which serves fabulous roasted-in-Sandpoint coffee and scrumptuous pastries, and also brews remarkable tea (even matte). Monarch Mountain%26#39;s cafe is uptown three blocks from the main drag, and worth the walk.
Pedestrian crosswalks in Idaho seem to create some uncomfortable situations with drivers and pedestrians second-guessing what the other will do or not do. It seems like being stopped in an intersection is not safe. As a pedestrian I would not step off if a car is close without showing obvious signs of stopping. As a driver, if I think a pedestrian is looking likely to step off I will usually stop a good distance back from the crosswalk if possible.
Yes, they are still using these tactics to get drivers to slow down, esp after someone was recently killed in a cross walk. This is north Idaho, and it is not a walking town any more, traffic is backed up from one end town to the other.. The Long Bridge is so backed up now it takes over a half hour to cross, normally its about 3 minutes.
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