Your mother always told you to look both ways. Good advice, but that’s just the beginning. Whether you’re hoofing it to work, going for a jog or just taking a leisurely stroll, there’s a lot you can do as a pedestrian to protect yourself. Always obey the rules of the road. Make sure others see you. And, most importantly, watch for cars, bikes and other vehicles – because they might not be watching for you.
Be Safe
Walking:
Always use sidewalks when available.
If there are no sidewalks, walk facing traffic and as far from the roadway as you can.
Obey all pedestrian traffic signals.
Running:
Runners are pedestrians: run against the flow of traffic, cross at crosswalks, obey traffic signals, and wear reflective gear.
Crossing the street:
Use crosswalks wherever possible. If you don’t see one – yield to traffic.
Cross in well-lit areas with the best view of traffic.
Don’t cross mid block or diagonally.
Make sure each lane of traffic is clear before you cross.
At a bus stop: cross behind the bus or in the crosswalk.
Pay attention to cars turning.
Be Visible
Make drivers see you: carry a flashlight, wear reflective gear, walk in well lit areas.
Stand clear of parked cars, buses, hedges, and other obstacles before crossing the street.
Watch for Me!
Pay attention and avoid distractions like cell phones and music players. You need the ability of your two key senses, seeing and hearing, to detect cars.
Watch for cars backing up in parking lots and driveways. Brake lights may mean that a car is about to back up.
Know your surroundings. On a blind curve or steep hill, walk along the outer curve to see oncoming traffic and be visible to drivers.
Look left, right, and left again. Look for cars in all directions.
On a sharp corner with limited visibility (blind curve) or a steep hill, it’s safer to walk along the outer curve rather than to say in the inner curve, even though this is opposite of the rule to face traffic when walking. In the inner corner, you won’t be able to see upcoming traffic and it won’t see you. Cross the road at a safe distance from the curve, walk along the outer curve, and cross back again at a safe distance. You should be extra careful during this segment, because drivers may not expect pedestrians on the right side of the road.
Don’t assume vehicles see you. In fact, it’s safer to assume they don’t!
(Adapted from Bike Walk CT’s “Give Respect, Get Respect.
Share the Road, Connecticut” www.bikewalkct.org)
Pedestrians have the right of way in marked and unmarked crosswalks, meaning cars must yield (slow or stop) for pedestrians, wherever they are in the crosswalk. A pedestrian is considered in the crosswalk once they step off of the curb.
State law requires pedestrians to use crosswalks when they are provided.
It is unlawful to cross a street outside of a crosswalk if the pedestrian is between two signalized intersections.
At crosswalks with pedestrian signals, state law requires that pedestrians obey the “Walk” and “Don’t Walk” indicators in the same way a driver must obey red or green lights.
If the pedestrian began crossing during the “Walk” signal, they have the right of way over all cars, including those turning right on red, until they complete the crossing.
When NOT at an intersection or marked crosswalk, pedestrians must yield the right of way to all vehicles.
State law requires pedestrians walking along the road to use sidewalks when available.
When sidewalks are not available, pedestrians are to walk to the far left edge of the road facing traffic. Walking in this direction gives pedestrians the best view of traffic.
Cars may not pass a vehicle stopped at a crosswalk if that car is stopped to let pedestrians cross.
When cars are crossing a sidewalk, they must yield to all pedestrians and other traffic on the sidewalk.
Pedestrians cannot dart/dash out in front of cars (giving them insufficient time to stop) or walk in the road under the influence. This protects drivers who are traveling at a reasonable speed and obeying laws from being at fault if a person’s actions prevent the driver from taking actions to avoid a crash.
Happy 4th of July to our wonderful community! 🎆🎆 While you're out making memories this Independence Day, remember to follow all traffic signs and signals, use sidewalks when available, and stay alert behind the wheel. No distraction is worth taking your eyes off the road.
#WatchforMeCT #FourthOfJuly #DriveSafe #DriveDistractionFree ... See MoreSee Less
"We are seeing twice the number of injuries in our ED regarding E-bikes, dirt bikes, mopeds and scooters,” said Amy Watkins of Connecticut Children's. As part of Watch for Me CT, she's urging everyone to wear a helmet, follow the rules of the road, and stay alert this holiday weekend. Read more about the safety push here: ... See MoreSee Less
A first priority for the 4th; Advocates stress safety at Connecticut Children’s
ow.ly
From fireworks to water safety, an array of issues have been discussed and addressed by the team at the prestigious children's hospital in Hartford.www.courant.com/2025/07/01/opinion-monsters-in-the-ct-streets-and-i-do-not-mean-those-with-claws/ ... See MoreSee Less
Opinion: Monsters in the CT streets. And I do not mean those with claws.
www.courant.com
Ever notice those TV commercials that show how you can enjoy nature by driving all-terrain, biosphere-busting behemoths all over it? Not even the deer and the antelope have a safe place to play any…Amy Watkins of Watch for Me CT was on hand at today’s press conference at Connecticut Children's to talk about summer safety. She emphasized the importance of helmets for kids and teens anytime they are on wheeled devices, including bikes, e-bikes, scooters and inline skates.
To ensure proper helmet fit, follow these guidelines:
🚲 Make sure the helmet is low on the head. The front of the helmet should be no more than two fingers above the eyebrows.
🛴The straps on the side of the helmet should make a V around the ears.
🛵The strap below the chin should be snug, allowing no more than two fingers between it and the neck.
#WatchForMeCT #BikeSafety #BikeHelmets #SummerSafety ... See MoreSee Less
As you brainstorm fun ideas to celebrate July 4th with family and friends, be sure to keep safe driving in mind! Here are some tips to help you stay safe on the road.
#WatchForMeCT #fourthofjuly #DriveResponsibly #roadsafety ... See MoreSee Less
🚨 Some drivers are running red lights in Connecticut and it’s a serious problem.
We all know red means STOP, but some drivers are speeding through red lights, putting everyone at risk. This can lead to T-bone collisions, one of the deadliest types of crashes.
🏁 Getting to your destination a minute or so faster is not worth risking your life, or someone else’s.
A few important reminders:
👉 Right on red? Always come to a complete stop first and check that it’s clear.
🚫 See a “No Turn on Red” sign? That means wait. Ignoring it isn’t just illegal, it can lead to serious consequences.
Let’s all do our part to keep Connecticut roads safe.
#WatchForMeCT #StopOnRed #DriveSafeCT #RoadSafety #ItCanWait ... See MoreSee Less
Pedestrian safety is especially important for older adults. Simple steps can help reduce risks and keep you safe while walking. Always stay alert, follow signals, and make yourself visible. Your safety matters every step of the way.
#WatchForMeCT #OlderPedestrianSafety ... See MoreSee Less
After Pennsylvania legalized speed cameras, they showed up on Philly’s deadly Roosevelt Boulevard. The results are clear: Researchers found a drop in crashes and deaths.
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The Truth About Whether Speed Cameras Make Us Safer
nextcity.org
After Pennsylvania legalized speed cameras, they showed up on Philly’s deadly Roosevelt Boulevard. The results are clear: Researchers found a drop in crashes and deaths.This week, community members gathered at a vigil to remember the life of a pedestrian recently lost in a crash. Stories were shared, calls for change were made, and a single pair of Ghost Shoes marked the memorial—a haunting symbol of the life taken. This powerful tribute reminds us that every traffic victim was someone’s loved one.
#WatchforMe #GhostShoes ... See MoreSee Less