Safety at Unsignalized Crossings

Every time you cross a street, you make 26 different decisions --- even more if you are walking a bike across the street. Safety considerations for street crossing become especially important when there is no traffic signal to help.

  1. Crossing with a Crosswalk or Stop Sign

    • Cars, trucks and bicycles are supposed to stop whenever a pedestrian enters a crosswalk, but they don't always do so. Pedestrians can make sure it's safe by looking left (in the direction from which traffic is approaching), then right, then left one more time before stepping into the crosswalk. In addition, looking around all corners ensures safety from any cars turning the corner. It's important to stay within the lines of the crosswalk while crossing.

    Crossing Without a Crosswalk

    • If there is no crosswalk, the pedestrian should look for the safest possible place to cross the street, preferably at an intersection. Again, looking left, then right, then left, as well as behind and around any corners will help you cross safely. A pedestrian should never start crossing the street from between parked cars.

    Other Safety Considerations When Crossing the Street

    • No child under the age of seven should cross a street alone. It's a good idea to walk across a street, not run, because of the danger of tripping. Traffic keeps coming while you're crossing, so keep looking for it until you reach the opposite curb.

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