Drivers
Drivers, make a choice to keep your community safe. Take the time to watch out for those who are traveling on foot:
- Check your speed and pay attention when approaching a crosswalk or intersection, even if you don’t immediately see a walker. Make sure you leave enough distance between you and the car in front of you. That gives you enough sight distance and time to safely stop for pedestrians.
- When you encounter an activated pedestrian beacon that is flashing, you are required to yield to any pedestrians in the crosswalk. Even if a walker fails to activate the beacon, you are still required to stop for the person in the crosswalk. These beacons help drivers recognize pedestrian activity from a far distance, allowing drivers to come to safe stop even in heavy traffic.
- Actively watch for crosswalks, especially when turning left or right at signals. The “flashing red hand” of the pedestrian signal shows how much time the pedestrian has left to cross. Respect them, please.
- Make eye contact with walkers but never wave them forward. Another approaching driver may not stop for them!
- Be patient and kind. Give pedestrians plenty of time and space to safely cross.
- By definition, ALL intersections include crosswalks – whether the crosswalk is marked or not.
Pedestrians
Pedestrians should do their part to travel responsibly:
- The safest place to cross is at an intersection or available crosswalk. Always obey traffic signals.
- In Missouri and most other states, Drivers are required to yield to you only when you are already in the crosswalk. If there is not enough space to safely step into traffic lane, stay at the curb and make eye contact so motorists know you are trying to cross. Cross one lane at a time!
- If there is a traffic signal or beacon with a push button, use it!
- Eyes up, phone down!
- Keep scanning for traffic as you cross, especially for turning vehicles.
- If a driver waves you forward, check for other approaching vehicles. Walk, never run, across the street.
- Bright colored or reflective clothing make you much more visible – during the day and especially at night.
- Always walk on the sidewalk. If there is none, walk on the shoulder facing traffic.