This past week the Knoxville Police Department took extra time to monitor school crosswalks in Knoxville.

The program is part of the Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau’s effort to bring awareness to the danger of crosswalks near schools. School Resource Officer Kyle Keller, who organized the program tells KNIA/KRLS News the program was productive but shows how dangerous the crosswalks can be as he saw many motorists not stop for people at the crosswalk with one motorist saying they didn’t see anyone when two pedestrians were crossing. Keller says drivers need to stay more aware of the crosswalks especially during the morning and afternoon when they are at their busiest. He says kids are more excited at those times and are more likely to be running and not paying attention to cars. In total six citations and two warnings for failing to yield to pedestrians in a right of way were written Friday as part of the increased monitoring program.