Walk Safe

This month, SEMCOG and its partners throughout the region are encouraging everyone in Southeast Michigan to stay safe on the roads and Walk.Bike.Drive. Safe. Safety is everyone’s responsibility. Today, Tom Bruff shares some information and tips specific to walking safely.

I reach work the same way each day, with a bus ride along Gratiot Avenue between Macomb Mall and downtown Detroit. But the part of my commute that is most concerning to my safety is the short walk between my car (I park-and-ride) and the bus stop.

I typically leave for work at 6 a.m., while traffic is lighter and the overhead streetlights are on to provide some light in the pre-dawn hours. The bus picks me up on one side of Gratiot and on the return trip drops me off on the other side of the eight-lane boulevard, so at some point, I need to walk across the road to get to my car or the bus stop. Traffic is lighter in the morning, but it’s usually darker at this time and harder for drivers to see pedestrians.

When crossing Gratiot I have two choices, cutting across the road midblock (Option A), which is a shorter distance to the bus stop, or walking a little out of my way to the signalized intersection (Option B) and crossing in the crosswalk.

While the midblock short-cut is quicker, it is also much more dangerous since drivers aren’t expecting pedestrians crossing here, especially in the morning when it’s dark. Drivers are more likely to expect me crossing at the signalized intersection and using the pedestrian crosswalk. While using a crosswalk often requires walking a few extra steps, the effort could save your life.

SEMCOG’s traffic crash data tells the same story:

70 percent of pedestrian deaths happen outside of a crosswalk.

I encourage you to watch and share this video, which is one part of this campaign and highlights the importance of staying alert and using a crosswalk whenever possible.

Days are getting shorter, and the start of a new school year has many commuters in a little bit more of a hurry. Everyone should follow these safety tips when walking:

Always…

• Look left-right-left before crossing a street and watch for turning vehicles.
• Cross streets at marked crosswalks or intersections.
• Obey all traffic signals. Only enter the street during the “WALK” symbol when crossing at a signal.
• Walk on the sidewalk; if there is no sidewalk, walk facing traffic and as far to the left as possible.
• Yield the right-of-way to motorists and bicyclists when crossing outside of a marked crosswalk.
• Allow ample time for a vehicle to yield prior to entering the street.

Never…

• Assume drivers see you. Wait for them to stop and make eye contact before crossing a street.
• Walk after dark and in bad weather without bright and reflective clothing.
• Walk distracted, including talking or texting on your phone or listening to headphones.

The walking portion of my commute is a highlight of my day. It helps me unwind, get some fresh air, and see and hear what’s going on in the communities where I live and work. I encourage you to enjoy the scenery when you’re out walking, and most importantly, stay safe and use a crosswalk!