October is Pedestrian Safety Month

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October is designated Pedestrian Safety Month as this time of year can be especially dangerous for walkers due to reduced daylight hours. This is a beautiful time of year to explore the outdoors and take time to appreciate the changing fall colors, but the safety of our vulnerable road users should always be a priority.

National Walk to School Day, Wednesday, Oct. 12, was created to not only stress the importance of physical activity, but to bring attention to pedestrian safety. The annual event will give thousands of students across the state an opportunity to practice safe pedestrian skills and behaviors. Minnesota Walk! Bike! Fun! learning guides were created to assist teachers, parents and caregivers in teaching various pedestrian safety topics, including basic traffic-safety and crossing at intersections.

No matter your mode of transportation, traffic safety is a two-way street. Whether you walk, bike or drive to your destination, you can take steps to ensure everyone makes it home safely.

When driving:

  • Watch for people walking - anywhere, at any time, day or night.
  • Stop for people crossing the road.
  • Be alert and expect to see people walking everywhere.
  • Look in all directions before turning.
  • Slow down for people. Slower speeds save lives.
  • Before passing stopped vehicles, check for people crossing the road.

When walking:

  • Be alert for turning vehicles.
  • Look for vehicles in all lanes of traffic before crossing. Drivers may not see you.
  • Cross in a well-lit areas when possible.
  • Stand clear of parked cars and obstacles before crossing.
  • Walk while facing traffic when sidewalks aren’t available.

Everyone plays a role in keeping our roadways safe. Working together, we can drive Minnesota toward zero deaths.