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Pedestrian Safety Tips Offered

Updated June 2, 2011

The Cerritos Sheriff’s Station/Community Safety Center offers the following pedestrian safety tips:

  • Always cross a street at a corner, using traffic signals and crosswalks.
  • Stand clear of buses, hedges, parked cars or other obstacles before crossing so drivers can see you.
  • Don’t rely solely on pedestrian signals; try to make eye contact with drivers before crossing in front of them. Do not assume that because you can see the driver, the driver can see you.
  • Look across all lanes you must cross and visually clear each lane before proceeding. Just because one motorist stops, do not presume drivers in other lanes can see you and will stop for you.
  • Look left, right and left again when crossing, and keep looking as you cross. Walk, do not run, across the street.
  • Walk on sidewalks or paths. If there are no sidewalks, walk facing traffic as far to the left as possible.
  • Be a safe pedestrian around cars. Watch for cars that are turning or backing up.
  • Wear clothing and accessories incorporating reflective materials.
  • Cross in a well-lit area at night.
  • Never walk on freeways or in restricted zones.
  • Carry a flashlight when walking at night.
  • Be alert to engine noise or backup lights on cars when in parking lots and near on-street parking spaces.
  • Don’t wear headphones or talk on a cell phone while crossing.

Safety tips for children

  • Parents and children should hold hands in parking lots.
  • Never allow children under age 10 to cross streets alone. Adult supervision is essential until you are sure a child has good traffic skills and judgment.
  • Children should walk on direct routes with the fewest street crossings.
  • Make sure children know to cross 10 feet in front of a school bus, never behind, and to wait for adults on the same side of the street as the school bus loading or unloading zone.
  • Teach your child never to run out into a street for a ball, a pet or any other reason.
  • Make sure your child plays in safe places away from motor vehicles, such as yards, parks and playgrounds and never in the street. Fence off play areas from driveways and streets.

Safety tips for drivers

  • Stop for pedestrians who are in a crosswalk, even if it is not marked. When you stop for a pedestrian in a crosswalk, stop well back so that drivers behind you or in the other lanes can also see the pedestrian in time to stop.
  • When you are turning, you often have to wait for a break in traffic. Beware that while you are watching for that break, pedestrians may have moved into your intended path.
  • Check frequently for pedestrians when backing out of a driveway or a parking space.
  • Be especially attentive around schools and in neighborhoods.

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