Safety Tips–For Pedestrians,
Bicyclists and Drivers

Shorter daylight hours in fall and winter typically lead to a spike in crashes involving pedestrians, and safety officials are asking commuters to exercise caution, watch out for each other, and obey traffic laws. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that in 2015, 74 percent of pedestrian fatalities nationwide occurred during the dark, dusk-til-dawn hours, with one in four occurring between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m.

Montgomery County Public Schools joins safety and transportation officials throughout the region to encourage everyone to exercise caution as they go to and from schools and everywhere else you walk, especially during the darker hours early in the morning and early evening. The purpose of this communication is to share the resources provided by the BeStreetSmart.net campaign and our Safe Routes to Schools.

For Walking

• Cross the street at crosswalks and intersections.
• Watch for turning vehicles. Look left, right and left again.
• Use the pushbuttons.
• Wait for the walk signal.
• Be visible. Wear something light or reflective after dark.

For Biking

• Obey signs and signals.
• Always ride with traffic, not against it.
• Use hand signals to tell drivers what you intend to do.
• Use lights at night and when visibility is poor.
• Wear a helmet.
• Ride in a straight line at least three feet from parked cars.

For Driving

• Stop for pedestrians at crosswalks.
• Be careful when passing buses or stopped vehicles.
• Always stop for (or never pass) a school bus with red flashing lights and stop signs deployed.
• Slow down and obey the speed limit.
• When turning, yield to people walking and biking.
• Look for bicyclists before opening your door.
• Allow at least three feet when passing bikes.