Tips for Pedestrian Safety

Just like motorists, pedestrians are expected to follow certain rules of the road. Pedestrians must obey traffic control signals, signs and pavement markings when they are crossing a street.

• Pedestrians are to use sidewalks whenever they are safely available.
• When sidewalks are unavailable, pedestrians must walk facing traffic as far to the left as possible.
• Pedestrians must obey traffic signals and/or traffic officers.
• At crosswalks where there isn't a traffic control signal or officer, pedestrians have the right-of-way.
• If there are no crosswalks, signs or signals, the pedestrian must yield the right-of-way to all vehicles.
• Regardless of the right-of-way, the driver is required by law to take great care to avoid striking a pedestrian.
• Wear light colored clothing and add reflective material to increase your visibility at night.
• Pedestrians are not allowed on expressways or interstate highways.

Drivers should expect pedestrians, avoid distractions like cell phone use, and obey speed limits.

Pedestrians must always walk against traffic.

Walk as close to the left side of the road possible using the shoulder or sidewalk, if available.

When attempting to cross, always look left, right, and left again.

Use crosswalks and obey crossing signals.

Don’t text while crossing.

Pedestrians should never assume that a driver has seen them.

Establish eye contact or adjust your activity to make sure drivers are aware of your presence.

Wear light-colored clothing and add reflective material to increase visibility – especially when walking at night.

When there is no traffic control signal, drivers must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians, particularly if a pedestrian is in a crosswalk, or there is potential danger to the pedestrian.

In addition, every driver approaching an intersection or crosswalk must yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian accompanied by a guide dog or a cane.

If there isn't a crosswalk, sign or signal at mid-block locations, a pedestrian must yield the right-of-way to all vehicles on the roadway.

The driver of a vehicle, when entering or exiting from an alleyway, building, private road or driveway must yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian on a sidewalk.

Pedestrians are required to use sidewalks where they are provided and safe to use. When sidewalks are not provided, a pedestrian is required to walk on the left side of the roadway facing traffic.