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