Pedestrian Safety

Crosswalks

The crosswalks have been installed using a ladder-style marking for the crosswalk zones, as well as yield bars 20 feet before the crosswalk where drivers are to yield. Signs have been installed to identify the crosswalks and to alert drivers as to where they are to stop when yielding to pedestrians.

State law regulates pedestrian and driver actions at such crossings. You can explore Indiana Code to learn more about traffic and pedestrian controls.

Safety suggestions

  • Remove your headphones and maintain visual contact with vehicle traffic around you (your safety can be significantly impaired if you inhibit any one of your senses while walking near vehicle traffic).
  • Do not use your cell phone or text while you are walking near traffic (being inattentive can prove to be very hazardous).
  • Obey traffic signs and cross at properly marked crosswalks (that is what drivers expect you to do and that is where you may be more visible to them).
  • When waiting to cross a street, stand behind the curb, not on it.
  • Look both ways and make sure you have eye contact with drivers before you cross the street. Never assume that if you turn your back to a vehicle, the driver will see you and yield to your position in the street.
  • Be extra cautious when it is raining and when it is dark if you are wearing dark-colored clothing. Under these conditions, your visibility to the driver is diminished significantly. Avoid wearing only dark colors in such conditions.
  • When you begin to cross the street at crosswalks that require drivers to stop and yield to pedestrians, do not assume vehicles in the second lane are aware you are in the crosswalk. Proceed carefully and make sure all lanes of traffic are stopping as you proceed.
  • Do not leave the sidewalk in favor of the street when the walkway is congested. Drivers don't expect you to be in the street.
  • Do not engage in horseplay near any vehicle traffic.
  • Do not enter the street to stand on the center line to await the traffic to clear on the other side of the road. When you do this, drivers cannot always see you.

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