Columbia will join other cities with median restrictions on July 1
Erika McGuire
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
The City of Columbia is following the lead of other Missouri cities by implementing a median ordinance set to take effect July 1.
The City of Springfield put its median ordinance in place in January 2018. Both ordinances focus on medians in intersections with speed limits of 35 mph or higher, average daily traffic volumes of at least 15,000 vehicles, or medians narrower than 6 feet.
According to previous reporting, Maj. Eric Reece with the Springfield Police Department said the rule made a difference in the number of pedestrians at medians.
The City of Columbia’s ordinance also will:
Prohibit crossing a major road anywhere except in a crosswalk, a pedestrian-control signal, or an intersection if those things aren’t available.
Prohibit being on a median fewer than 6 feet wide except when crossing the road.
Prohibit getting out of cars while in a traffic lane or within a major intersection.
Prohibit approaching cars on a major road unless the car is legally parked.
Prohibit people in vehicles from engaging with pedestrians at major intersections.
The City of Creve Coeur, near St. Louis, adopted a similar ordinance in 2021 that prohibits pedestrians from standing in center medians unless they are actively crossing the road.
In Oklahoma City, a median ordinance has been in place since 2017 and applies to medians along streets with speed limits of 40 mph or greater.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reported in 2023 that pedestrian fatalities account for 18% of all crash deaths. It reported pedestrian deaths in 2023 increased 78% since reaching their lowest point in 2009.
Columbia’s ordinance was passed with a 5-2 vote in February. Ward 1 Councilwoman Valerie Carroll and Ward 2 Councilwoman Vera Elwood voted against the ordinance. Mayor Barbara Buffaloe was among those who voted in favor of the measure.
City leaders say the ordinance is intended to improve pedestrian safety and is not aimed at cracking down on panhandling in Columbia.
Check back Wednesday and watch ABC 17 News at 6 that day for a closer look at how police are educating pandhandlers about the new rules.