Pedestrian Safety Month​: Safety Tips For Drivers, Pedestrians

MARIN COUNTY, CA – September is Pedestrian Safety Month in California, and local police and the California Office of Traffic Safety are sharing tips to keep the streets safe for drivers and pedestrians.

The public awareness campaign, "Pedestrians Don't Have Armor," was first introduced in 2016, showing pedestrians wearing car parts as body armor. The message is simple, but powerful: Regardless of whether someone is on foot or behind the wheel, we must do our part to look out for one another because pedestrians are no match for a vehicle.

"At some point, we are all pedestrians," said Rhonda Craft, director of the California Office of Traffic Safety. "Let's take a step back from the hustle and bustle in our lives and start looking out for one another, both in the car and outside of it."

In 2016, 867 pedestrians died on California roadways, up nearly 33 percent from 2012, according to the Office of Traffic Safety. More than 14,000 pedestrians were injured.

Safety Tips for Drivers:

• Before making a turn, make sure the path is clear. Let pedestrians with the right-of-way safely cross intersections before turning.
• Avoid distractions. Look at your surroundings, not your phone.
• Be careful backing up. Look for pedestrians who may be walking behind the vehicle.
• Obey posted speed limits.

Safety Tips for Pedestrians:

• Use crosswalks or intersections only, preferably with a stop sign or signal.
• Make eye contact with drivers.
• Avoid wearing ear buds or using your phone.
• Don't dart out between parked cars. Look for cars backing up.
• Look left-right-left before you step into the crosswalk: A green light or "WALK" signal does not indicate it is safe to cross.
• Walk facing traffic.
• Wear bright clothes during the day and reflective material or use a flashlight at night

Image via Shutterstock