Pedestrian safety tips for drivers and walkers

We all have to get from one side of a road to another at some point in our busy lives. Getting there safely, of course, is everyone’s goal. Unfortunately, this does not always happen. In 2002, there were an estimated 5,000 pedestrian fatalities in the United States. This is a staggering number. In order to reduce this number, a concentrated effort is required on the part of both the pedestrian and those behind the wheel.

There are several different situations involved in crossing a street. In this article, we will take a quick look at crossing a street at a marked on unmarked crosswalk and at a signalized intersection. Each situation should be treated with caution from both the pedestrian and the driver.

Crossing at Signalized Intersection
Signalized intersections, while offering an actual indication to a crossing pedestrian, can still offer a dangerous situation, especially if the pedestrian does not correctly obey the pedestrian signals.

A pedestrian signal is made up of two symbols; a walking person in white and an extended hand symbol in orange. The hand symbol will be either solid or flashing whereas the person symbol should always be solid.

To cross at a signalized intersection, you must first push the pedestrian button for the direction you wish to cross. These buttons are usually found on the signal pole. Look for the button below the sign that points in the direction you want to cross.

Once you push the button, a signal is sent to the traffic controller that someone wants to cross th4e street. Once the traffic controller is about to give the green for the direction you want to cross in, it will also bring up the person symbol for that direction as well. Once you see the person symbol, you can begin to cross.

After the 5-7 seconds, the person symbol will change to an orange flashing hand. This simply means that no one else should START to cross at this point. If you started to cross already, you still have enough time to get to the other side at a normal walking pace (about 4 feet per second, which is about one and a half steps per second for the average person).

Once you reach the other side and you are about to step onto the curb, you may see the pedestrian signal change to a steady, non-flashing, orange hand. This means that the light is about to change to red for your direction and you should be out of the intersection at this time.

Of course, any time you are in the street, even if you are in a marked crosswalk, you should be aware of any approaching vehicles to make sure that they will stop. Also, pay special attention to turning vehicles as they are often looking in the other direction to find a gap in traffic.

Drivers at intersections should always scan the intersection for any pedestrians, especially if the driver is turning. Also, before proceeding on a green light, make sure any pedestrians that were crossing have safely reached the other side.

Crossing at a Marked or Unmarked Crosswalk
Minnesota State Law is clear on the point that the pedestrians have the right-of-way at any crosswalk, whether it is marked or not. Minnesota Statute Sections 169.21 and 171.13 state: “Where traffic-control signals are not in place or in operation, the driver of a vehicle shall stop to yield the right-of-way, slowing down or stopping if need be to so yield, to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within a marked crosswalk or within any crosswalk at an intersection but no pedestrian shall suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety and walk or run into the path of a vehicle which is so close that it is impossible for the driver to yield.”

“When any vehicle is stopped at a marked crosswalk or at any unmarked crosswalk at an intersection to permit a pedestrian to cross the roadway, the driver of any other vehicle approaching from the rear shall not overtake and pass the stopped vehicle.”

“A person who violates this subdivision is guilty of a misdemeanor and may be sentenced to imprisonment for not more than 90 days or to payment of a fine of not more than $700, or both.”

A person who violates the law two or more times within one year is guilty of a gross misdemeanor and may be sentenced to imprisonment for not more than one year or payment of a fine of not more than $3000 or both.

For a motorist, there are some important points to remember from the State Law. First is that you must yield to a pedestrian in the road even if it is not at a marked crosswalk. A crosswalk is defined as the extension of any sidewalk or trail at an intersection if that extension leads into the street. A good rule of thumb is to expect a crosswalk at any intersection, whether it has a stop sign or signal or whether it is uncontrolled.

Another important point to remember is that it is illegal for a driver to pass another vehicle that is stopped to permit a pedestrian to cross the road. Most pedestrians will expect you to stop especially if another vehicle has already stopped for them. Also, just because you can’t see a pedestrian does not mean that there is not one in front of the stopped vehicle.

Pedestrians must remember to take their safety into their own hands. As you are getting ready to cross a road at an unsignalized crosswalk, do not step off the curb unless the vehicle approaching you has enough space to come to a complete stop. Another tip is to wave your hand at the approaching driver as you step off the curb to make your intention to cross the road clear.

Finally, if you are crossing the multi-lane road and a vehicle stops in the right lane for you, stop at the end of that vehicle and look to be sure that any approaching vehicles in the other lanes stop for you as well. Again, a wave of the hand may help announce your intentions to other drivers. All pedestrians and drivers should just simply be aware of each other. State law governs responsibilities for both the driver and the pedestrian, but ultimately it is up to the pedestrian to make sure that the drivers are aware of their intention.