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| Home > Fact
of the Week > Pedestrian
Safety |
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10-11-2010
Preparedness
Facts of the Week
by
Elizabeth Hall, Emergency
Services Specialist -
Kings County Office of Emergency Management |
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Last
week I talked about bicycle safety
and the “rules of the road”.
Today I would like to touch on pedestrians
and the rules that apply to them. If
you are a parent or school employee,
you may want to go over some of the
rules and tips below with your students.
Maybe play a game to see how many
rules they are aware of. It could
be enlightening.
Three
years ago, a high school student
once told me that pedestrians always have the right of way, especially
if they are in the crosswalk – no
matter what. In addition, if a car
were to hit her, her family would
sue because it would be the driver’s
fault. Really? Dumbfounded, I could
not believe that this is what our
youth actually think – especially
at her age. I do not know if this
is what her parents have taught her,
or if it is a misconception on her
part. What I do know is that pedestrian
safety and rules should be reviewed
with children no matter the age.
The earlier the better.
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The
conversation with this
particular teen came
about because I knew
who the girl was and
earlier that afternoon
she had crossed the street
in front of me on her
way back to school from
lunch. Just before she
forcefully walked out
into the crosswalk without
looking and demanded
her turn, the left turn
arrow had just turned
green for me and I had
already started to proceed.
I had to stop in the
middle to wait for her
to cross ever so slowly
while I held up traffic
waiting for her and her
friends. All the while,
traffic was backing up
in the intersection creating
a hazard.
So
I ask you, did
she, as a pedestrian,
have the right-of-way?
If you answered
no, then you would
be correct. She
could have been
cited for the infraction
had an officer
of the law witnessed
the event. State
law indicates that
drivers must yield
the right-of-way
to pedestrians
crossing the street
in a marked or
unmarked crosswalk
at intersections
or designated mid-block
crossings (that
are marked). However,
a pedestrian must
also take due care
for his or her
own safety.
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Pedestrians cannot suddenly enter the street and walk or
run in the path of a moving vehicle, especially when
entering the street will cause an immediate hazard.
Also, while in the crosswalk, pedestrians cannot
unnecessarily stop or delay traffic.
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When
my kids were little, I
would demonstrate the rules
and reinforce them as we
crossed together – whether
by bike, car, or on foot
- eventually having them
tell me what the rules
are as we went along. Everyday
life/circumstances are
a great way for teaching
and reinforcing the simple,
but very important, everyday
rules of life. By
the time they become teens,
it should be second nature
and they will do it automatically
without giving it a second
thought. |
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Below
are some rules that pedestrians
should follow; not only
for their safety, but also
for the safety of those
drivers nearby. |
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Crossing
the Street at Unsignalized
Locations:
When crossing the street,
you should only cross at
corners or at mid-block
crosswalks that are marked
by painted lines in the
street. However, before
entering, you should:
1. |
Stop at
the curb (or edge of the
road). |
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2. |
Look left. |
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3. |
Look
right. |
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4. |
Look left again. |
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5. |
If you see any vehicles,
wait until the drivers
go by or the drivers have
made eye contact with you,
stopped and have motioned
for you to cross first. |
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6. |
Look
left, right again, and
step into the street
when you have determined
that all drivers are aware
of your intentions and
it is safe; and walk across
the street (continuing
to look left and right
until you have made it
to the other side.) If
you are trying to cross
where a vehicle is parked,
make sure that there is
no driver in the vehicle
and then follow Steps 1-6,
listed above. |
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Crossing
the Street at Signalized
Locations:
Here
are a few safety reminders for when
you cross at signalized crosswalks:
1.
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Press
the pedestrian indication
button when one is available. |
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2.
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Only
walk when the pedestrian
light
for your direction of traffics
says WALK (or a walking
pedestrian symbol is displayed).
The symbol indicates that
you can begin crossing
but it is important that
you check traffic to make
sure all drivers at the
intersection see you (especially
drivers making a right
turn from the corner – who
may also have a green light). |
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3.
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A
flashing DON’T
WALK (or an upraised hand
symbol) means it is too
late to safely start crossing
the street but
you should finish crossing
the street
if you are already in the
intersection. (If a median
island is available with
a pedestrian push button,
stop in the median and
wait for the next signal.)
If you reach the flashing
DON’T WALK or upraised
hand symbol before crossing
the street, push the pedestrian
button (if one is available)
and wait for the next cycle
of pedestrian signals. |
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Flashing LED
Crosswalks:
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Did
you know that our big town of Hanford
has a flashing LED crosswalk?
Neither did I until I happened upon it
one night. It is located in front of
Hanford High School on Grangeville Boulevard.
If you don’t know it’s there,
and you are driving at night, look out!
Those lights are bright, and will throw
you for a loop the first time they flash
at you. This flashing sidewalk is not
at an intersection, but rather in the
middle of the block where a regular crosswalk
once was. Although the lights are very
bright and give warning to drivers that
pedestrians would like to cross the street,
pedestrians should still follow the safety
tips for crossing the street. Be careful,
because even though the lights are flashing
and bright all the way across the street,
it is hard to see someone crossing at
night. You see the lights, but not always
the pedestrian. As a pedestrian, don’t
assume that vehicles will stop, or that
they can see you. Remember, you
as a pedestrian are also responsible
for your
safety. |
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Just
because you are older and you don’t have a crossing
guard helping you across the street doesn’t
mean it’s a free for all. Please, for
your safety and for the safety of those around
you, PLEASE obey the laws! Those who love you
will thank you, and the drivers around you
can have some sanity in their day. |
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Graphic Resources:
Blog.skeeterdidit.com
Fotosearch.com
Lincoln.ne.gov
Corbisimages.com
Xwalk.com
Methodshop.com
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Do
your part for safety awareness by passing this
information along to anyone you can think of
who would benefit.
Have
a great week, and remember…… Be
Responsible - Be Ready - Be Prepared!
Teaming Up for Emergency Preparedness
Elizabeth Hall
Office of Emergency Management
280 Campus Drive Hanford, CA 93230
(559) 582-3211, Ext. 2634
www.kingscountyoem.com
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