Crossing Streets

Here are some things to consider doing. Some items may not be applicable to you.

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This checklist is designed primarily to help teach children how to cross a street safely

Well before crossing:

• Be aware that getting hit by a vehicle, even one going slowly, can kill or seriously hurt you
• Be aware that people/kids just like you have been killed and almost certainly will be killed while crossing streets
• Ask an older person to help you
• Determine the safest place to cross, usually a crosswalk which (safest listed first):
  • Has a safety patrol and an adult to control vehicles and pedestrians
  • Is at a traffic light, preferably with a safety patrol, etc.
  • Is at a STOP sign, preferably with a safety patrol, etc.
  • Has a flashing yellow light in both directions
  • Is well marked as a school crosswalk
  • Allows clear visibility in all directions (e.g., no sharp curves), so you can see vehicles coming and drivers can see you
• Remember that painted lines can’t stop a vehicle

If you can’t find a crosswalk:

• Don’t cross street near parked vehicles
• Look for a corner

If it is rainy and/or foggy:

• Be especially careful

Right before crossing:

• Stay well back from the curb until you’re ready to cross – so vehicles will know when they should stop to let you cross

If there is no safety patrol or adult controlling vehicles and pedestrians at the crosswalk:

• Go to the curb
• Stop at the curb

If there is a traffic light and/or WALK/DON’T WALK signs:

• Start to cross only when the WALK light first comes on and/or approaching vehicles first get a red light
• Look to your left

When looking for vehicles approaching the crosswalk

• Look at the drivers of vehicles to ensure they see you and to see if they indicate with a wave that they’ll wait for you to cross
• Look for vehicles which could be turning towards you

After vehicles coming from the left have stopped or if there are no vehicles approaching from the left

• Look to your right

After vehicles coming from the right have stopped or if there are no vehicles approaching from the right:

• Look to your left again
• Listen for approaching vehicles

After vehicles from both directions have stopped or if there are no vehicles approaching and if you don’t hear any vehicles approaching:

• Walk (don’t run!) a few feet into the crosswalk
• Look in both directions again, especially for vehicles which could go around vehicles which are stopped because the drivers can’t see you

If it is still safe:

• Walk (don’t run) almost halfway across the street
• Stop
• Look to your right again, especially for vehicles which might go around vehicles which are stopped because the drivers can’t see you

If it is still safe:

• Continue across the street while continuing to look both ways for vehicles
• Consider waving to drivers who stopped to thank them

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