Visibility is key to safety no matter how you travel!
With shorter days this time of year, motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians need to be extra alert to see each other in low light situations.
Improving visibility means improving safety. Dressing children in light colored and/or reflective clothing is one of the simplest things parents and caregivers can do to keep their young pedestrians and cyclists safe.
Here are some safety tips from our friends Julie Yip, ODOT Transportation Safety Division and Lynne Mutrie, Safe Kids Oregon Advisory Board member for all drivers, pedestrians and cyclists:
Wear bright, reflective clothing and/or shoes when walking or biking; folks can’t avoid what they don’t see.
If there are no sidewalks, walk close to the edge of the road. Walk facing traffic so you can see approaching vehicles and get out of the way if trucks, cars or bus mirrors are too close.
Don’t wear headphones, text or talk on a cell phone while crossing the street.
Be aware of vehicles around you. Make eye contact before crossing in front of vehicles.
Don’t assume that cars are going to stop.
Driving or biking? Expect and slow down for pedestrians in popular walking areas, around schools and parks, and near crosswalks, especially at night.
