Walking in Traffic

Protect yourself and your family by doing these things:

Walk on the Sidewalk

• Stay on the sidewalk and crosswalks. Avoid walking in traffic where there are no sidewalks or crosswalks.
  If you have to walk on a road that does not have sidewalks, walk facing traffic.

Cross at Intersections

• Most people are hit by cars when they cross the road at places other than intersections.

Look left, right, and left for traffic

• Stop at the curb and look left, right, and left again for traffic. Stopping at the curb signals drivers
  that you intend to cross. Cross in marked crosswalks and obey the signal.

See and Be Seen

• Drivers need to see you to avoid you.
• Stay out of the driver's blind spot.
• Make eye contact with drivers when crossing busy streets.
• Wear bright colors or reflective clothing if you are walking near traffic at night.
  Carry a flashlight when walking in the dark.
• Do not let kids play near traffic or cross the street by themselves. Kids are small, and
  drivers may not see them if they run into the street.

Watch your kids

• Children should not cross streets by themselves or be allowed to play or walk near
  traffic. Kids are small, unpredictable, and cannot judge vehicle distances and speeds.
• When kids get older, teach them three things to do before they cross the street:
  1) Try to cross at a corner with a traffic light. 2) Stop at the curb. 3) Look left, right, then left
  again to make sure no cars are coming.

For additional information, please contact the NHTSA hotline at:
1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236), or the NHTSA Web site.

U.S. Department of Transportation
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
August 1997