WATCH: Scooter Scare Has Hingham Police Urging Crosswalk Caution

HINGHAM, MA — Police dashcam video of a South Shore boy on a scooter nearly struck by a car in a crosswalk is a cautionary tale for both drivers and young people sharing the roads as the weather warms this spring.

The Hingham police dashcam video shows the boy starting to enter the crosswalk after a police cruiser stopped for him in the far travel lane, but that the boy did not look back to see whether the car in the other directions was stopping, which it did not.

"The boy on the scooter is almost struck by a car that did not yield to him as he waited to cross in the crosswalk," police said. "Fortunately, he reacted just in time and stopped inches from being struck by the car."

Police said the incident happened on High Street near French Street. Police pulled over the driver and issued a citation for not stopping for someone in a crosswalk, but added that the boy was not in the area when the officer returned to the intersection to discuss the close call with him.

"Some keys points we can share for pedestrians, bicyclists or scooter riders, is to wear a helmet (he was not wearing one) and to look left, right, and left again," police said. "The driver was not speeding and the signs are very clear that a crosswalk is ahead. The crosswalk is clearly marked and painted."

Police said a utility pole may have obstructed the view of the crosswalk and they will contact the town to see if any changes need to be made to the crosswalk's location or sightlines.

"As always, we need to make sure drivers are paying full attention to the task of driving and not being distracted," police said. "Discussion among children, parents and drivers is a good thing and can make it safer for all of us."

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