Pedestrian Laws & Safety
Where available, always walk on a sidewalk. If there is no sidewalk available and you have to walk in or a road, always walk facing oncoming traffic so that you can see any vehicles that could pose a threat to your safety.
- Dress to be seen! Lighter or brightly colored clothes make it easier for drivers to see you during the daytime hours. At night, you should wear reflective materials on a hat, jacket, or shoes (preferably all three).
- Cross streets only at corners or crosswalks. Never cross a street from between parked cars! Drivers will not be expecting a pedestrian to cross from this point and probably could not see you even if they were.
- When waiting to cross a street, stop at the curb or the edge of the road. Do not enter the roadway until it is time to cross!
- When preparing to cross a street, stop, look left, look right and look left again before you enter the street.
- When crossing streets, always obey pedestrian signalization.
- "Walk" or Walking Person lights mean it is legal to cross the street.
- Flashing "Don't Walk" or Raised Hand lights mean do not start across the street. The traffic signal is about to change. If the flashing starts after you have already started to cross, continue crossing the street at a safe pace.
- Except within marked crosswalks, pedestrians must cross the roadway at a right angle or the shortest possible route.