With National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) Pedestrian Safety Awareness Month halfway through, the Norfolk Police Department is reminding residents —both drivers and pedestrians — to always stay alert and be cautious when using our roadways.
NHTSA’s nationwide initiative aims to reduce pedestrian-related crashes and make roadways safe for all. The campaign aims to highlight the risks pedestrians face and provides actionable safety tips for both walkers and drivers.
This message is especially timely as Halloween, the busiest night of the year for pedestrian foot traffic, is just a few weeks away! Families will be out trick-or-treating, and young children could unexpectedly enter the roadway.
To help keep everyone safe, NHTSA recommends the following for pedestrians:
• Obey all traffic signs and signals designed to protect pedestrians.
•Use sidewalks when available; if not, walk facing traffic and stay as far from vehicles as possible.
• Cross streets at designated crosswalks or intersections — never in the middle of the block.
• Stay off your phone and avoid headphones while walking near or across roads.
• If no crosswalk is available, choose a well-lit area with good visibility and wait for a safe gap in traffic.
• Be cautious of vehicles entering or exiting driveways and parking lots.
• Stay alert and aware of your surroundings, including other pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers.
• Make eye contact with drivers before crossing and ensure they come to a complete stop.
All pedestrians who plan to consume alcohol should arrange to walk with a sober friend or find alternative transportation.
Pedestrian safety is a shared responsibility; just as drivers are urged to drive sober and stay focused, pedestrians must also take proactive steps to protect themselves.
For more information and resources, visit NHTSA.gov/Pedestrian.