Traffic safety includes pedestrians too

Texas

Texans love their vehicles but more and more residents of the Lone Star State are parking their cars and lacing up their walking shoes, said experts from Texas Cooperative Extension.

Last year, 22,264 walkers took part in Extension's Walk Across Texas program, pacing out more than 5.2 million miles, said Terri Miller, director of Extension's Safe Communities project.

These and other walkers can fall victim to traffic-related injuries, Miller said. Figures from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration show more than 4,700 pedestrians were killed and 70,000 sustained non-fatal injuries in 2003.

Miller offered the following guidelines for keeping safe while walking:

--Use the sidewalk and crosswalks.

"If you have to walk on a road that does not have sidewalks, walk facing traffic and as far to the left as possible so you can better see approaching traffic," Miller said.

--When crossing streets, watch for traffic by stopping at the curb and looking left, then right, then left again.

"Stopping at the curb signals drivers that you intend to cross," Miller said. "If you see a car, wait until it goes by. Then look left, right and left again until no cars are coming. Keep looking for cars while you are crossing."

--Cross at intersections.

According to the traffic safety administration, about 79 percent of pedestrian traffic fatalities take place at non-intersections. That's why crossing at intersections and obeying all traffic lights and signs are important, Miller said.

"Look left, right, left, behind you and in front of you" when crossing at intersections, she said. "Look in every direction. Continue to look for cars as you cross the street.

"Drivers are supposed to watch out for people walking and to stop to allow pedestrians to cross safely, but pedestrians cannot count on drivers to see them or to stop," she said.

--See and be seen.

In order to avoid hitting you, drivers need to be able to see you, Miller said.

"Stay out of the driver's blind spot," she said. "Make eye contact with drivers when crossing busy streets."

Wear brightly colored clothing in daytime, and reflective material on shoes, hat or jacket when walking at night.

"You should also wear bright colors or reflective clothing if you are walking near traffic when it is raining, snowing or foggy," Miller said. "Carry a flashlight when walking in the dark."

Children's strollers need to be marked with reflective tape or lights, she added.

Whether participating in Walk Across Texas or just walking across the neighborhood, these tips can help keep you safe, Miller said.

For more information visit the traffic safety administration's website at www.nhtsa.dot.gov/ or Extension's Family and Consumer Sciences website at http://fcs.tamu.edu/. Click on the link to "Safety."

Date: 5/25/06

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