Bikers need to obey traffic rules
Police Chief Jeff Pohlman has announced that he and his officers will begin cracking down on children who display "poor driving habits" on bicycles and motorized scooters.
Several Peabody citizens addressed the city council about their concern for youngsters on bikes and scooters sharing the streets of Peabody with cars, grain trucks, and tractor-trailer rigs.
They observed the young people were not exercising enough caution, especially on Peabody's busiest streets.
"We need to get a handle on this before someone gets killed or injured for life,"Pohlman said.
"What the kids and parents don't realize is that someone on a bike or scooter is bound by the same traffic laws as someone driving a car or truck," he said.
Pohlman said fines will be the same as for violators who drive cars or trucks.
Pohlman and his officers will stop an offender and issue a warning for the first offense. The parents of the child also will be informed.
With a second offense, a ticket will be issued and the youngster will have to appear in court and pay a fine.
Pohlman said his department also is ready to crack down on kids who walk in the street and don't yield to oncoming traffic.
"Impeding the flow of traffic also is punishable by a ticket, a court appearance, and a fine."
Again, the first offense will garner a warning and the parents will be notified. After the second offense, a ticket will be issued.
