[DATE]

Southeast Michigan’s Safe Streets Encourages Spring Safety Tips

The goal of Safe Streets is simple: Reduce traffic crashes, particularly those involving fatalities and serious injuries. Speeding remains a critical concern, with its impact on road safety highlighted by over 12,000 deaths nationwide in 2022 and a notable increase in fatalities across Southeast Michigan.

As a partner in the regional Safe Streets campaign, [COMMUNITY/AGENCY] encourages everyone using the roads in Southeast Michigan to keep a few important safety tips in mind before driving, walking, biking, or rolling.

Avoid distractions, however you are traveling.

Walk Safe

  • When walking across the street, use a marked crosswalk whenever possible.
    • If no crosswalk is available, use a signalized intersection.
    • If no traffic signal or intersection is available, yield to vehicle and bicycle traffic before crossing with caution.
  • While it is safest to use a sidewalk whenever possible, it is sometimes necessary to walk where no sidewalk is available.
    • In these situations, walk against traffic as far from the center of the road as possible.
    • By walking where you can see oncoming cars, you will be more aware of a vehicle coming toward you.

Bike Safe

  • Always use a white headlight and a red tail light or rear reflector when biking in the dark. It’s state law. Also wear bright/reflective clothing when riding in the dark.
  • While many people learned early in life to ride on the left side of the road, it is the law to ride with traffic (on the right side of the road).
    • People driving cars are not looking for oncoming traffic of any kind in their travel lane, so a person riding against traffic is practically invisible to people driving cars – especially when they are pulling out of driveways or turning at intersections.

Drive Safe

  • Slow down and – if possible- move over when passing work zones and roadside vehicles. 
  • Avoid distractions, and watch for people walking and biking while you drive, especially at intersections.
  • When driving, wait until it is safe to pass a person on a bicycle and always leave at least 3 feet. It’s state law.

Learn more tips for staying safe at safestreetsmi.org.