Pedestrian Safety Newsletter
Officer Corey P. Rateau
Traffic and Parking Enforcement Unit
781-316-3928
This is a time of unprecedented economic challenges for many communities including Arlington. Some very difficult fiscal adjustments had to be made and as a result there was a reduction in the number of traffic supervisors stationed around town during school hours. In light of this situation, I would like to send out a reminder to parents to make sure that they teach their children about pedestrian safety. I have included the following tips that should be helpful to pedestrians of all ages:
· Always cross at a crosswalk if one is available. They are there to remind motorists to look out for pedestrians. By law, you are required to use one that is within 300 feet of the location where you wish to cross or you could be considered “Jay Walking”.
· Always stop at the curb, edge of road, corner or parked vehicle before proceeding across the street.
· If there is traffic, try to make eye contact with the driver(s) approaching you to make sure that they see you, understand your intentions, and have stopped for you before crossing.
· LOOK LEFT, RIGHT, THEN LEFT AGAIN. Cars may have proceeded from your left after your initial look (and this should typically be the closest direction that traffic would be approaching you). If it is clear, then proceed to cross.
· Walk - Don’t Run when crossing the street, even in a crosswalk. Always keep looking in both directions for drivers that may not see you in the street. Do not assume that a car will stop for you just because you are in the crosswalk.
· When crossing at signalized locations, wait for the cross signal and be sure that all traffic has stopped before entering the crosswalk. Continue to look for vehicles, especially ones that could be making turning movements from adjacent streets, as you are crossing.
· Do not step off the curb if “Don’t Walk” is already flashing as you approach the intersection. Wait for the next “Walk” cycle before crossing.
· Always walk on the sidewalk if there is one available. If there are no sidewalks, walk facing traffic so that you can see what’s coming towards you.
· Be aware that many large vehicles, including school buses, have “No Zones” around them where the driver simply cannot see anything, even with the best mirrors. Avoid these areas to the rear and sides of these vehicles. Look for the rear tires of large vehicles to go “off track” (ride up on the curb/sidewalk) while turning. Most skilled drivers will avoid this but be extra cautious and not stand too close to the corner if this happens, as you will be in that driver’s “No Zone.”
· Large vehicles like buses and trucks need a longer distance and take a longer time to stop; no matter how fast they are traveling. Don’t try to rush out in front of one of these vehicles, as sudden moves on a pedestrian’s behalf can be difficult to anticipate for even a well-trained professional driver.
· While you should always cross at least 10 feet in front of a school bus while at a school bus stop and the lights are flashing and traffic has stopped, DO NOT cross in front of MBTA buses at a bus stop. As they are about to depart, their focus may be on any oncoming traffic to the side of their vehicle. Always wait for MBTA buses to leave the bus stop before crossing.
· Try to wear clothing that is bright and/or reflective enough to make you stand out and not blend into the background of the area you are in. This helps when crossing both during the day and night.
Remember, pedestrian safety begins at home. Always set a good example when crossing the street with your children. Make sure that they know what the different crossing signals look like and for what they stand. Statistically, the most common cause of pedestrian injury or death is pedestrian error, not driver error. By keeping some of these pointers in mind, we can help avoid these situations and make walking in Arlington safer for everyone.