Awareness is the most important resource when on the road, whether driving or walking. Here are tips to help keep each other safe.
Drivers can:
- Look out for pedestrians, especially in hard-to-see conditions such as at night or in bad weather.
- Slow down and be prepared to stop when turning or entering a crosswalk where pedestrians are likely to be.
- Stop at the crosswalk stop line to give drivers in other lanes an opportunity to see and yield to the pedestrians, too.
- Be cautious when backing up; pedestrians can move across your path.
Pedestrians can:
- Be predictable. Follow the rules of the road, cross at crosswalks or intersections and obey signs and signals.
- Walk facing traffic and as far from traffic as possible if there is no sidewalk.
- Pay attention to the traffic moving around you. This is not the time to be texting or talking on a cell phone.
- Make eye contact with drivers as they approach. Never assume a driver sees you.
- Wear brightly-colored clothing during the day and reflective materials (or use a flashlight) at night.
- Look left-right-left before crossing a street.
Source: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration: www.nhtsa.gov