FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The 12th Annual Crosswalk Safety Awareness Day will take place at the University of Arkansas and across Fayetteville and the state from 8 a.m. to 5p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 14.

The message of the event is - It’s Not a Choice, It’s the Law!

Air Force and Army ROTC cadets from the U of A will be at the intersection of Maple Street and Garland Avenue, at the Greek Theater crossing on Dickson Street and at the Pi Phi gate on Maple Street all day to promote the Crosswalk Safety Awareness Day message.

University Police officers will be patrolling with an added emphasis on crosswalk safety.

The purpose of the event is to make the general public aware that it is both a state and a city law that a driver must yield to a pedestrian in a marked or unmarked crosswalk. It is equally important, however, for pedestrians to be aware of their responsibility to look both ways and make sure the cars are going to stop before they enter a crosswalk. It is a recommended that pedestrians and drivers make eye contact and let the other person know they are seen.

Gov. Asa Hutchinson has proclaimed Crosswalk Safety Awareness Day in Arkansas and Mayor Lioneld Jordan has proclaimed it in Fayetteville, where the event originated.

The event is sponsored by the Community Policing Division of the Fayetteville Police Department and was inspired by participation in both the first Fayetteville Citizen’s Fire and Citizen’s Police Academies. Both the University of Arkansas Police Department and the Fayetteville Police Department have noted that the event has made a difference in increasing awareness and aiding the safety of both pedestrians and motorists.