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General
Pedestrian Safety |
Prevent
pedestrian crashes!
Here are some common myths that adults and children
believe about being a pedestrian:
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MYTH
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A green light means
that it is safe to cross. |
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FACT
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A green light means that you may stop and
search for cars. Before you step off the curb, look LEFT-RIGHT-LEFT,
and if it is safe to do so, cross and keep looking left and right
as you go. Be alert for vehicles making a right turn on red. |
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MYTH
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You are safe in a
crosswalk. |
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FACT
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You may cross at a crosswalk, but before
you do, you must stop at the curb. Look LEFT-RIGHT-LEFT for cars.
When it is clear, cross and keep looking left and right. |
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MYTH
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If you see the driver,
the driver sees you. |
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FACT
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The driver may not see you. Make certain
the driver sees you and stops before you cross in front of the car.
Try to make eye contact with the driver. |
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MYTH
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The driver will stop
if you are in a crosswalk or at a green light. |
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FACT
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The driver may not see you. The driver's
view may be blocked. The driver may run a traffic light illegally.
The driver may turn without looking for pedestrians. |
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MYTH
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Wearing white at
night makes you visible to drivers. |
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FACT
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Even if you wear white clothes, drivers
will have a difficult time seeing you at night. Carry a flashlight.
Wear retroreflective clothing. Walk facing traffic. |
Crosssing
a street
When crossing a street, you should always:
• Stop at the edge of parked cars, the curb, or other
vehicles.
• Look LEFT-RIGHT-LEFT for moving cars.
• Cross when clear, and keep looking left and right.
• Walk, not run or dart, into the street.
• Look for signs that a car is about to move (rear lights, exhaust
smoke, sound of motor, wheels turning).
• Walk alertly.
Crosswalk
safety:
Drivers do not always stop for pedestrians in a crosswalk.
Be sure to:
• Look LEFT, RIGHT, then LEFT again before stepping
off the curb to cross the street, and continue to LOOK and LISTEN as you
go.
• Only cross the street when you see it is safe.
• Stay within the lines of the crosswalk.
• Always walk your bike across the street or crosswalk.
• Wait for cars to stop before stepping off the curb and into the
crosswalk.
• Never walk behind a car that has pulled up too far and is blocking
the crosswalk.
• Obey the Walk and Don't Walk signals if the crosswalk has them.
(Even if the signal says walk, always look LEFT, RIGHT, then LEFT again
for traffic before crossing, and LOOK and LISTEN as you go.)
 How
does the pedestrian signal work?
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