Pedestrian Safety Information

October is Pedestrian Safety Month

Be Safe, Be Seen on Halloween l Safe Kids Worldwide

Safe costumes:

• Decorate costumes and bags with reflective tape or stickers and, if possible, choose light colored clothing.
• Masks can obstruct a child’s vision, so choose non-toxic face paint and make-up whenever possible.
• Have children carry glow sticks or flashlights so they can see better, as well as be seen by drivers.
• Check to make sure costumes aren’t too long to prevent tripping.

Safe walking:

• Stay alert. Watch out for cars that are turning or backing up and don’t dart out into the street or cross in between parked cars.
• Walk on sidewalks or paths. If there are no sidewalks, walk facing traffic as far to the left as possible.
• Put electronic devices down and keep heads up and walk, don’t run, across the street.
• It’s best to cross the street safely at corners. Before crossing, look left, right and left again and make eye contact with drivers.

Safe Driving:

• Slow down in residential neighborhoods. Remember that popular trick-or-treating hours are 5:30 to 9:30 p.m.
• Be especially alert and take extra time to look for kids at intersections, on medians and on curbs. Children are excited on Halloween and may move in unpredictable ways.
• Reduce any distractions inside your car, such as talking on the phone or eating, so you can concentrate on the road and your surroundings.
• Be cautious when backing out of driveways and parking spots; expect to see children late at night in areas where you usually wouldn’t.

Everyone is a pedestrian, whether in a parking lot, crosswalk, or on a road.

Drivers and pedestrians have a shared responsibility to follow the rules of the road and act safely and responsibly.

Nighttime Pedestrian Safety

The fall season is here and it is getting darker earlier. Pedestrian safety is always a top priority. As a driver, make sure you stop for pedestrians in the crosswalk. As a pedestrian, be sure to give drivers a chance to see you and stop safely. When walking at night, increase your visibility by wearing lighter colored and reflective clothing. Use sidewalks (where available), rather than walking in the streets. If you’re walking on a street without a sidewalk, remember to face traffic and stay as close as practical to the curb. Stay safe out there.
Sgt. Loretucci 

Safety is a Two-Way Street

During the fall months there are shorter daylight hours and new traffic patterns with students back for the new school year. It can take some adjustment for people walking, cycling, and driving on our roadways to focus on sharing the road with one another. During the past several years the number of pedestrian injuries and fatalities in New Jersey have increased. You can help to be safe this fall by following these tips while traveling:

As a motorist, be mindful of pedestrians at crosswalks and intersections as well as in downtown areas where pedestrians tend to jaywalk - randomly crossing in the middle of a block or in crowded areas and event venues. When driving always keep your eyes open for different types of pedestrians including:

• Children – especially near schools, playgrounds and neighborhoods
• Dog Walkers
• Skateboarders
• Runner and Walkers
• Bicyclists
• Seniors and others with assistive devices such as canes, walkers or wheelchairs
• Workers
• School Crossing Guards

Fall Safety Tips

6 Simple Ways to Drive Safer this Fall

Stay Alert
Use caution when driving. Pay extra attention to crosswalks-watch out for people walking, riding bikes, scooters, and skateboards.

Don’t Speed
Speeding is involved in one-third of all motor vehicle fatalities. Slow down and you could save a life.

Watch out for motorcycles
Keep a safe distance when driving behind motorcycles, and always check for blind spots especially at intersections.

Give yourself extra time
Be prepared for morning and afternoon school traffic. Give yourself extra time to avoid tailgating and rushing to your destination.

Buckle up
Buckling up is the single most effective thing you can do to protect yourself in a crash. Always double check that all your passengers are secure.

Watch for animals on the road
Be aware that animal activity increases in the fall. You are likely to see more animals crossing the roadways, especially at dawn and dusk.