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Pedestrian Safety Tips

Overview | Rules of the Road | Safety Tips for Pedestrians | Driver's Responsibilities

Introduction

In 2001, 4,882 pedestrians were killed in traffic crashes in the United States. Although this is a decrease of 16 percent from 5,801 in 1991 there is still cause for concern. On average, a pedestrian is killed in a traffic crash every 108 minutes and injured every 7 minutes. There were 78,000 pedestrians injured in traffic crashes in 2001. Sixty-nine (69) percent of the pedestrian fatalities in 2001 occurred in urban areas at nonintersection locations (79 percent), in normal weather conditions (90 percent) and at night (64 percent).*

Due to the increased concern over pedestrian safety on and around campus, the Illinois State University Police and Normal Police Departments will be launching a pedestrian awareness program. Officers will be monitoring pedestrian traffic at various locations around campus and handing out pedestrian safety brochures. Warnings may be issued. Please read the Rules of the Road below regarding laws and rules that apply to pedestrians.

* Information taken from the NHTSA Traffic Safety Facts 2001:Click Here for the Full Report

Illinois Secretary of State: Rules of the Road: Chapter 9: Sharing the Road

More Information on Rules of the Road >

Pedestrians

Without a vehicle or protective equipment, pedestrians are the roadway users most at risk in traffic. Drivers and pedestrians are both responsible for traffic safety. A simple rule is that drivers should always be prepared to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians. Important laws and safety tips pedestrians should know are:

TRAFFIC SIGNALS, WALKLIGHTS and CROSSINGS: Pedestrians must yield the right-of-way to drivers by obeying traffic signals, observing walk lights and using crosswalks. The pedestrian signals are:

- WALK (constantly lighted): Pedestrians facing the signal may cross the roadway in the direction of the signal.
- DON’T WALK (Flashing): Pedestrians may not start entering the roadway. Any pedestrian who has partly completed his cross during the constantly lighted WALK may continue to a sidewalk or safety island.
- DON’T WALK (constantly lighted): Pedestrians may not enter the roadway.
- YELLOW LIGHT (constant): Pedestrians may not cross unless directed by a pedestrian control sign or police officer.

CROSSING A ROAD: When crossing at any place other than a marked or unmarked crosswalk, pedestrians must give the right-of-way to drivers. This includes between closely-spaced intersections where traffic signals are in operation.
TUNNELS and PEDESTRIAN CROSSINGS: A pedestrian tunnel or pedestrian crossing bridge should be used when available.
ROADWAYS: Pedestrians must not walk on a roadway unless there is no sidewalk or shoulder next to it. Under these conditions, pedestrians should always walk as close to the outside edge of the road as possible. In two-way traffic, pedestrians should walk facing oncoming traffic.
If a highway does not have a sidewalk but has a shoulder, pedestrians should always walk on the shoulder as far from the roadway as possible. Pedestrians should not walk on a highway when under the influence of alcohol or other drugs.
HITCHHIKING: "Hitchhiking" means standing on the roadway to ask for a ride. It is illegal to hitchhike. If convicted, the pedestrian may be fined up to $2,500 and given a jail sentence of up to one year.
SOLICITING: "Soliciting" means to ask for something. Pedestrians should not stand on or next to a highway to ask drivers or passengers for the following:

–employment or business

–contributions, unless allowed by a permit issued by a city or town.

–money for guarding or watching any vehicle while parked or about to be parked.
If convicted, the pedestrian may be fined up to $2,500 and given a jail sentence of up to one year.
JOGGERS and WALKERS: Joggers and walkers should use jogging paths when provided. On public roads, joggers should try to select wide roads with good shoulders. They should face oncoming traffic and remember to look and listen for cars. At night or anytime visibility is poor, joggers and walkers should be in well-lighted areas and wear reflective clothing.
MOVING VEHICLES: Pedestrians must not run or walk into the path of a moving vehicle.
EMERGENCY VEHICLES: Pedestrians should always yield to emergency and police vehicles using sirens and or flashing lights.
GATES and BARRIERS: Pedestrians must always obey railroad and bridge gates and other barriers.

Pedestrian Safety Tips

Be predictable. Use sidewalks where provided. Cross or enter streets where it is legal to do so.
If a side walk is closed due to construction, cross the street and use the sidewalk on the other side or find a safe alternate route out of traffic.
Make it easy for drivers to see you, dress in light colors and wear reflective materials. if walking at night use an device to illuminate you.
Make eye contact with drivers before crossing to be sure they see you!
Alcohol and drugs can impair your ability to walk safely, just like they do a persons ability to drive.
Use extra caution when crossing multiple lane, higher speed streets.
Cross at marked crosswalks or intersections. Pedestrians are most often hit by cars when they cross the road at places other than intersections.
Look Left, Right and Left for traffic. Stop at the curb and look left, right and left again for traffic. Stopped at the curb signals drivers that you intend to cross.
Always obey traffic signals. At intersections where traffic is controlled by signals or a police officer, pedestrians must obey the signal and not cross against the stop signal unless specifically directed to do so by a police officer.
If a car is parked where you are crossing make sure there is no driver in the car. Then go to the edge of the car and look left, right, left until no cars are coming. Keep looking for cars while you are crossing.
Be alert - especially at Right turn on red intersections.

Drivers Responsiblity and Pedestrian Safety

Stop for pedestrians at crosswalk and intersections.
Don't block crosswalks when stopping at intersections.
Slow down and obey the posted speed limit.
Always look for pedestrians, especially before turning at a green light or making a "right turn on red".
Be careful when passing stopped vehicles. They might be stopped for pedestrians.
Share the road. It's your responsibility to look out for others.