Pedestrian Safety

Walking is fun!  It’s free and it’s great exercise.  You can walk almost anywhere you want to go.  However, what’s not fun is getting hit by a motor vehicle while walking.  Use the following tips to help keep you safe while walking and tips to help drivers interact safely with pedestrians.  It is important to note that young pedestrians are at an increased risk. 

Young Pedestrians

Children are at risk because:

  • They have difficulty judging the speed and distance of approaching vehicles.
  • They have 1/3 less side-to-side vision than adults.
  • Children are impulsive and unpredictable.
  • Small children have a hard time seeing over bushes and other objects.
  • Parents overestimate their child’s ability to cross the street safely.
  • Children lack experience, judgment, and safety skills. 
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    Safety Tips

    • Teach your children how to cross the street safely and be a good example.  Your children learn from watching you.
    • Do not assume that your children already know these skills or will be taught in school. 
    • Children under the age of 10 should cross the street with an adult.
    • Before crossing the street, stop at the edge of the road and look left, right, and left again for traffic.
    • Do not stand in the street while waiting to cross.
    • Press the crosswalk button and cross when the “WALK” signal appears.  Look to the left before stepping off the curb.
    • Continue to look for traffic while crossing.  Having a “WALK” signal and the right of way does not mean that drivers will stop for you. 
    • Use sidewalks where available, if there are no sidewalks, it is usually safer to walk along the road facing oncoming traffic. 
    • If walking about dark wear reflective clothing and use a flashlight.
    • Look out for motorists entering or exiting a parking lot or driveway.  Motorists are required to yield to pedestrians on the sidewalk, but many motorists do not.

    Content Sources:  Be Pedestrian Safe- VIPP, UT Department of Health

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