Mother of Cheyenne student killed on crosswalk supports tough measures

The Cheyenne City Council passed a proposal on second reading that would impose double the usual fine on people who drive too fast in problem neighborhoods.

The bill was passed unanimously and without amendments. It must undergo a third and final reading before it comes into force.

One of the measure’s seven co-sponsors, District III Councilman Richard Johnson, told Townsquare Media that he stands behind the measure “to tackle school transitions more seriously.”

Mother of Cheyenne student killed on crosswalk supports proposal

Janelle Jones, mother of 13-year-old Mak Evans, who was hit and killed in a crosswalk near McCormick Junior High School, told Townsquare Media that she supports the proposal.

”“I am 100 percent in favor of this becoming law and I welcome the publication by Council members,” she wrote in response to an email seeking comment on the proposed legislation.

“I have given this issue a lot of thought and am grateful that we as a community are now making the safety of not only children, but pedestrians and cyclists as a whole, a top priority and are working towards sustainable change.”

Injuries and deaths of law-abiding pedestrians caused by speeding and careless driving are 100% preventable. We must hold drivers accountable and hold them to higher standards.

Sometimes this means stricter enforcement.

This would enable our police officers to issue appropriate tickets and hopefully minimize the number of incidents and deter drivers from speeding with costly fines..”

She added: “A life is priceless.”

Evans has since founded the organization For Mak to raise awareness of safety issues at crosswalks.

Under the proposal, citizens could sign a petition asking the city to investigate their neighborhoods for traffic problems. If at least five people in a neighborhood sign such a petition, the city will conduct an investigation to determine if there are any safety concerns related to speeding. Complaint forms for people who want to raise the issue will be made available to the public through the city engineer’s office.

If the study finds that unsafe driving is a problem, the area could be declared a critical traffic control zone. People who receive a speeding ticket in such a zone would face double the fine for speeding in the city, similar to a ticket for speeding in a construction zone. Other measures such as temporary calming devices could also be put in place.