Walk Safely! Spring Safety Tips

            It’s here!  Spring officially arrived on March 20th, of course, but up here in the Northland we usually wait until we’ve seen a few tell-tale signs before letting down our winter guard.  The melting of the snow piles is always a welcome sign.  The robins have returned and the smell of grilled goodies floats in the weekend air.  Neighbors once again emerge onto their lawns and catch up on lost months during visits at the mailbox, over the fence or while strolling around the block.  It was during one such recent visit with a neighbor that the ground work for our first spring safety tip was laid.

            It seems my neighbor, while motoring to or fro, had a close encounter of the “pedestrian” kind.  Certainly another sure sign of spring is the increase in foot traffic that comes with the longer days and the sun’s warming rays.  I realized that my neighbor’s observations and concerns regarding our friends afoot are warranted and timely and they have prompted this review of what pedestrians and motorists need to consider when venturing out together this spring. Whether walking the dog, saving fuel, revisiting the neighborhood or aiming for some aerobic achievement, we need to exercise good safety practices as well as our leg muscles.          

            According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s statistics, 4,654 pedestrians were killed in traffic crashes in the United States in 2007.  Another 70,000 were injured.  These numbers were down about 13 percent since 1997, due in part to recent developments in high-visibility apparel and accessories. Interestingly enough, most pedestrian fatalities in 2007 occurred in urban areas (73%).  Also interesting is that most occurred at non-intersection locations (77%), in normal weather conditions (90%), and at night (67%).   69% of all pedestrian fatalities occurred between 4pm and 4am with the peak falling between 8pm and midnight.  In 2007 the fatality rate for pedestrians age 70+ was higher than for any other age group.  One half of all traffic fatalities occurred on Friday, Saturday or Sunday.

            In the interest of safety, the Chippewa Falls Police Department would like to offer the following tips for those venturing out on foot this spring and summer:

• If walking, jogging or running in the City of Chippewa Falls or other municipality, use the sidewalk whenever one is available.  If you must walk or run in the street, walk facing traffic!  This is especially important if you are utilizing one of the personal music players with headphones that are so popular for helping pass the time and making your exercise more pleasurable.  When you walk on the side of and facing on-coming traffic, at least you can see the hazards that are approaching nearest you.  If you are walking with traffic, the nearest approaching hazards are behind you where you cannot easily see or hear them.  You only make matters worse when you wear headphones because you eliminate or at least reduce your ability to hear the traffic approaching.  One notable exception may be when you are ascending a hill and cannot see what is coming your way over the crest.  In my neighbor’s case, the walker had his back to traffic and was wearing headphones while occasionally veering well out into the lane of traffic.  The walker had no idea the risk he was creating for himself. 
• Whenever possible, cross the street at a designated crosswalk. The rule since we were kids has always been “look both ways”.  I’m going to change that rule and suggest “look all four ways”, especially near an intersection.  Of the car/pedestrian crashes I have seen in my years as an officer, many did not involve a car approaching the pedestrian from the right or left, but rather approaching from the front or from behind the pedestrian.  Looking left and right reveals no dangers so the pedestrian steps off the curb or out into the street being crossed.  A vehicle approaching from the front or rear then turns the corner onto the cross street, often not noticing that a pedestrian is now in their path.  Yes, as a general rule, pedestrians have the right of way. But one should never assume that they have been seen; the human body is no match for a 4000 lb. vehicle! If you can’t make eye contact with the motorist it may be best to wait.
• Increase your visibility!  Even during daylight hours it is recommended that you wear bright colored clothing.  Many forms of “safety yellow” apparel are now readily available and even second-hand clothing stores have pretty good selections.  In low light situations wear retro-reflective materials.  Vests, belts, t-shirts, jackets and other clothing items are available with these materials.  At night, it is wise to carry a flashlight, not only to be seen but also so that you can see hazards in your path.  Stay clear of parked cars and other obstacles so drivers can see you.
• Watch also for cars entering and exiting driveways, parking lots or parking stalls.

            Because much of the responsibility lies with the motorist, we offer the following tips regarding pedestrians:

• You can encounter pedestrians anytime and anywhere, even in places you wouldn’t expect them.  Poor weather and low light can make pedestrians very hard to see.  Slow down and be vigilant. 
• Anytime you’re approaching or entering a crosswalk area, slow down and be prepared to stop.  Stop for all pedestrians in a crosswalk, even if it is not marked.  Be especially attentive around schools and in neighborhoods where children are active.  Children may be particularly vulnerable due to their size, so look low.  Children can also be unpredictable.  They do not have the experience to accurately judge speed or distance and their young values may lead them to dart into the street for a ball, toy or pet.  Always be alert when passing children.
• Do not pass or overtake another vehicle that is stopped for pedestrians.  When turning, look around the corner for pedestrians that may have entered your intended path.  Perhaps the way was clear but, while you were waiting for the “gap” in traffic so you could turn, the pedestrian situation may have changed.

            The staff of the Chippewa Falls Police Department hopes that pedestrians and motorists alike take these safety tips to heart.  It is our sincere desire that the warm weather weeks and months ahead can be safely enjoyed by all.  And remember, we would be happy to meet you, but let’s not meet by accident!

Submitted by Lt. Mark Hanson

Chippewa Falls Police Department