Walk Smart Stay Safe

Be a safe pedestrian.

Crossing Streets

At an intersection

  • Obey traffic signs and signals.
  • REMEMBER: Just because it is your turn does not mean it is safe to cross. Do not trust that cars will obey the rules or that turning cars will see you.
  • Look to see if cars are coming.
  • Look left, right and left and then behind you and in?front of you for turning cars.

At mid block

  • Stop at the curb.
  • Look left, right and left again for traffic.
  • Wait until no traffic is coming to begin crossing.
  • Keep looking for traffic until you finish crossing.
  • Walk, DON’T RUN across the street.

Suggestions for Seniors

  • Walk on sidewalks and cross only at corners, within marked crosswalks where available.
  • If crossing in other locations, yield the right of way to vehicles. Failure to obey the law carries a $54 fine (court costs additional; C.39:4-32, 33)
  • Always walk facing traffic.
  • Wear bright-colored or reflective clothing, especially at night.
  • Look left, right and left again before crossing and be on the lookout for turning vehicles.
  • Make eye contact with the driver before crossing in front of a vehicle.
  • Learn the proper use of ?Walk/Don?t Walk? signals.
  • Use the buddy system. Walk and cross with others when possible.
  • If possible do not walk at night or during bad weather such as snow, rain or ice.

~ from NJ Division of Highway Traffic Safety

Seniors Crossing, image by Dan Burden, http://www.pedbikeimages.org/pubdetail.cfm?picid=175

Resources
A Kids Guide to Safe Walking (NHTSA)
National Center for Safe Routes to Schools
NJ Pedestrian Safety
Pedestrian Safety: Fact sheet (from CDC)
Walk Boston Pedestrian Safety Lessons
Walk Safely NJ
Walk Smart/Bike Smart Vermont (Critical Content, Concepts and Skills for Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety for Grades K – 6)