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Pedestrian Safety

When a pedestrian is struck by a vehicle, more than 80 percent of the time the pedestrian is killed or seriously injured. In Michigan, more than 100 pedestrians die each year. Most of these deaths occur between 6 p.m. and midnight, with many fatalities occurring when pedestrians cross the roadway somewhere other than at an intersection.

Pedestrians should:

  • Use sidewalks whenever available.
  • Obey traffic signals.
  • Never cross mid-block.
  • Cross streets at a corner, using traffic signals and crosswalks whenever possible.
  • Always stop at the edge of a parked car, curb, or vehicle before walking out into traffic.
  • Look left-right-left before crossing a street and continue looking while crossing.
  • Make eye contact with drivers prior to crossing in front of them.
  • Never assume the vehicle driver can see you.
  • Walk facing traffic as far to the left as possible when walking along the roadway.
  • Wear reflective clothing and carry a flashlight when walking at night or in the early morning.
  • Never allow children under age 10 to cross the streets alone. Young children do not have the skills to accurately judge traffic risks.
  • Allow for enough time to safely cross the street.
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