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of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

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    Traveling in Pennsylvania

    Pedestrian Safety

    Whether you’re walking or driving, share equal respect. Safety is everyone’s responsibility. If you know the laws and follow the safety tips, you can drive safe and walk safe.

    Be Safe PA. Use crosswalks and obey traffic control devices. Drive Safe. Walk Safe.

    Tips for Pedestrians

    • Cross only at crosswalks. Don’t cross between parked cars.
    • Look left, right then left again and keep looking.
    • Wait for a gap in traffic, then step one foot off the curb or fully enter crosswalk and make eye contact with approaching drivers.
    • Always obey traffic signs and signals especially pedestrian count down timers.
    • See and be seen – drivers need to see you to avoid you. Wear bright clothing during the day, and wear reflective materials or carry a flashlight at night.
    • Watch for turning vehicles at intersections, even if you have the right-of-way and proceeding lawfully.
    • Watch your children. Children can’t judge a vehicle’s speed and distance and need the help of an adult to be safe.
    • On streets with multiple lanes in each direction, be aware of what drivers in both near lanes are doing. If one driver is allowing you to cross, the other might not see you.
    • If no sidewalk is available, walk as far on the side of the road as you can, and always walk against traffic. 
    • Always be aware of your surrounding, and never get distracted.

    Tips for Motorists

    • Slow down when approaching a crosswalk or intersection. Watch for pedestrians and be prepared to yield to them.
    • Yield to pedestrians in crosswalks – the law requires motorists to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks at signalized and non-signalized intersections.
    • Travel at a prudent speed. Don’t try to beat the light.
    • Watch for mid-block crosswalks. Pedestrians have the right-of-way in mid-block crosswalks, so yield to them.
    • Expect the unexpected – look out for children who may dart out between cars or buses or cross mid-block without a crosswalk.
    • Drivers on streets with multiple lanes in each direction should be aware that pedestrians may be crossing all lanes.

    Walk to School Month

    International Walk to School Month is celebrated during October, and Wednesday of the first full week of October is Walk & Roll to School Day. There are numerous organizations that provide communities with ideas for encouraging walking and bicycling to school, as well as increasing safety for students who walk or bike.

    Walk & Roll to School Day is an internationally recognized day that celebrates the benefits of walking by encouraging children to walk and bicycle to school. Held annually in October, Walk & Roll to School Day promoters hope to draw attention to the need for safe routes to school and to encourage children to make walking and bicycling to school a regular activity.

    Walk & Roll to School Day is not a one-size-fits-all event. Communities throughout Pennsylvania, the nation, and even the world, have found their own unique ways to celebrate the day.