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Pedestrian Safety Month marked in October

At some point in the day, everyone is a pedestrian. October is Pedestrian Safety Month — a great opportunity to include and increase pedestrian safety messaging across all platforms.

Pedestrians walking down a sidewalk next to a busy road.

The Michigan Department of Transportation reminds everyone of the critical importance of pedestrian safety.

MDOT takes a comprehensive Safe System Approach to road safety. This holistic approach is a shift from conventional thinking because it accounts for inevitable human mistakes and vulnerabilities. It’s about building in redundancies to better protect everyone.

MDOT is committed to ensuring the safety of all road users, including pedestrians. Signalized intersections are designed to move traffic efficiently while providing the safest opportunities for pedestrians to cross. According to recent statistics, about three out of four pedestrian fatalities occur in dark conditions and at locations other than an intersection.

People who drive should look for pedestrians crossing the road. Drivers must yield when turning at a signal.

Pedestrians are more visible to stopped vehicles when in crosswalks, but communication between pedestrians and motorists (something as simple as making eye contact) can help increase awareness. Whether you’re crossing the road on your walk to work, running an errand to the grocery store or just out for a stroll, follow these crosswalk guidelines:

– If you’re at a crosswalk equipped with a pushbutton, use it. It’s there to allow extra time for pedestrians to cross the roadway. Push the button to let the traffic signal know you are waiting to cross.

– Wait for your turn to cross. Waiting your turn keeps everyone safe, including you. Both vehicles and pedestrians must wait their turn to proceed.

– Once the crosswalk signal indicates that it’s your turn to cross, check to make sure vehicles are stopped, make eye contact and proceed to cross the road. Watch for turning vehicles.

– Pedestrians are notified to cross by a WALK indication. A common timing provides at least seven seconds of WALK, followed by a flashing DON’T WALK message.

– Pedestrians should not attempt to cross if a flashing DON’T WALK signal has already started. The duration of that flashing message allows enough time for people already in the crosswalk to complete their crossing.

– Many intersections provide a countdown indicating how much time is left to safely cross.

– Escanaba Daily Press

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