Prince William County Police Highlight Pedestrian Safety Laws

PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, VA — As part of Pedestrian Safety Month in October, the Prince William County Police Department is reminding residents that a new law went into effect in Virginia on July 1 that requires vehicles to come to a full stop when pedestrians are in a crosswalk and remain stopped until pedestrians have fully crossed the street.

An existing state law also requires motorists to come to a complete stop before turning right on a red light in order to protect pedestrians who are seeking to cross the intersection.

The Prince William County Police Department is working with the Department of Motor Vehicles and the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration in reminding pedestrians and drivers to practice safety on the county's roads during Pedestrian Safety Month.

The state Department of Motor Vehicles offers these tips for pedestrians:

• Be predictable, follow the rules of the road and obey signs and signals.
• Plan a route with safe crossings, such as marked crosswalks.
• Avoid distractions, including alcohol and drugs, and remain alert.
• Dress to be seen, but do not assume drivers see you.
• Wear reflective clothing and carry a blinking light or flashlight at night.
• Walk on sidewalks facing traffic and, if there is no sidewalk, walk facing traffic and stay as far from traffic as possible.
• As you walk, watch for cars backing up, especially in parking lots and driveways.
• Only cross streets at crosswalks or intersections; places where drivers expect pedestrians.
• While crossing look for cars in all directions, including those turning left or right, and make eye contact with turning drivers before proceeding into the street.
• Turning vehicles can be especially dangerous at intersections. If there is no crosswalk or intersection, go to a well-lit area with the best view of traffic, wait until there is enough time to cross safely, and continue to watch for traffic while crossing.