Video: Seattle number one in pedestrian safety

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SEATTLE – National rankings show Seattle is No. 1 for big cities in pedestrian safety. Now, the challenge is to stay that way as more people walk to work instead of spending money on gas.

Part of the effort to keep pedestrians safe is for drivers to know the rules designed for people on foot.

For example, whether a crosswalk is marked or unmarked, the law says vehicles must stop for pedestrians crossing the street. Generally, an unmarked crosswalk is any intersection that has one of those disabled access indentations on the corner. Those are considered a place where pedestrians have permission to cross.

"Once a pedestrian displays his intention to cross the street at an intersection, the law states all vehicles traveling in both directions shall come to a complete stop to allow that pedestrian to cross," said Ofc. Jeff Kappel, Seattle Police spokesperson.

Breaking the law risks a $124 fine for failing to yield to a pedestrian's right of way in a crosswalk. Seattle Police are doing emphasis patrols, enforcing that rule.

But pedestrians aren't always 100 percent right, such as those who cross when the sign says don't.