Fewer pedestrian accidents recorded in Reno

RENO (AP) - Reno police say stepped up safety enforcement in crosswalks and bicycle lanes is paying off.

Sgt. Wes Myers says the enforcement program resulted in a 51 percent decrease in the number of pedestrian-related crashes in the city during the last three months of 2009. He says there were 19 pedestrian incidents during that period compared to 39 during the same stretch in 2008.

Myers says police issued 305 warnings, 184 citations and made two felony arrests during the 90-day enforcement period closing 2009. He says they are noticing an increased number of bicycles downtown most likely due to both the sour economy and increased concern about the environment.