Driver and Pedestrian Safety
Driving Safety
Stop for pedestrians. Law requires drivers to stop for pedestrians at or in crosswalks. Please stay alert and be prepared to stop.
Stop on red. Yellow lights mean slow down, not speed up. Traffic crashes are a significant cause of preventable death and injury in the U.S.
Don't pass vehicles stopped at crosswalks. You cannot see if a pedestrian is approaching or in the crosswalk while you are driving around or past a stopped vehicle.
Take care near buses. Watch for riders exiting buses. Yield the right of way to buses.
Stay out of bike lanes. Bike lanes are for bikes. It is illegal for vehicles to drive or park in them.
Watch for bikes and give them space. Bicyclists are legally entitled to ride in roads both with and without bike lanes. Check for bikes when turning and before opening your door. Pass cyclists carefully, providing 3-4 feet of space between your car and the cyclist. On 2-lane roads, pass only when the road is clear of oncoming traffic and you can swing wide enough to pass safely.
Do not drive distracted (No cell phones and texting).
Do not speed. Campus speed limit is 15 mph.
Be extra cautious while driving at night.
Crosswalk Safety
Pedestrians
- Always cross at marked crosswalks. You increase your chances of being hurt if you cross elsewhere.
- Obey any pedestrian signals and look left-right-left to make sure the road is clear in both directions before crossing.
- If a vehicle approaches, make eye contact with the driver to be sure s/he sees you before you cross.
- Look before walking past stopped vehicles. Do not cross just because a driver waves you on. Be sure all lanes are clear first.
- Remember that bicyclists are not considered pedestrians unless they are walking their bikes. Otherwise, their bicycles are considered vehicles.
- Do not use earphones or earbuds while walking on campus or walking across Evergreen Road and Hubbard Drive.
Bicyclists
- Yield to pedestrians.
- Remember that bicyclists are not considered pedestrians unless they are walking their bikes. Otherwise, their bicycles are considered vehicles and bicyclists forfeit their rights as pedestrians in the case of an accident or citation.
- Use marked bike paths or multi-use paths when available.
- Obey vehicular traffic signals and laws on the roadways.
- Use extra caution as you transition between bike paths, roads and sidewalks.
- Be aware that your actions are unpredictable to drivers and pedestrians.
Drivers
- Yield to pedestrians in crosswalks and at intersections.
- Be prepared to stop at all marked crosswalks. Stay alert and reduce speed in areas with crosswalks.
- Be alert for bicyclists and skateboarders whose approach to the crosswalk may be much swifter than those of pedestrians.
- Come to a complete stop if pedestrians are crossing or preparing to cross.
- Wait until pedestrians have crossed at least one lane past the lane you are in before resuming travel.
- Never pass another vehicle that has stopped or is slowing down at a crosswalk.
The Hawk Crosswalk System
HAWK signals were developed by the city of Tucson, Ariz., in 2004. They have since been installed by many other states and in Washington, D.C.
Studies have shown that more than 90 percent of motorists properly yield to pedestrians in crosswalks using HAWK signal; it is more effective at increasing motorist awareness of pedestrians in the crosswalk.
When not in use, the HAWK traffic signal is dark to motorists, and a solid orange raised hand indicating “Don’t Walk” is displayed for pedestrians. When a pedestrian pushes the crosswalk button, motorists see a flashing yellow signal for several seconds. After the flashing yellow interval, the traffic signal displays a solid yellow—alerting motorists to get ready to stop.
Much like traditional traffic signals, the walking person symbol soon changes to a flashing orange hand with a countdown display showing the number of seconds left to cross the street. As with all pedestrian crossing signals, pedestrians should not start crossing the street if the flashing orange hand and countdown timer is showing. During this time, drivers see alternating flashing red signals. When the flashing red is displayed, drivers may proceed after stopping if there are no pedestrians in the crosswalk.
The cycle ends with the flashing red signals going dark and the solid orange raised hand shown to pedestrians until the next pedestrian pushes the button.
Below are more detailed, step by step instructions:
- When all three round lights are dark, the system is not activated.
Drivers: Proceed IF NO pedestrians are in crosswalk.
Pedestrians: DO NOT CROSS. Drivers have the right-of-way and will probably NOT STOP.
- When a FLASHING YELLOW light shows, a pedestrian has activated the system.
Drivers: Approach with caution. prepare to stop.
Pedestrians: DO NOT CROSS.
- Next the light turns to STEADY YELLOW (just before it turns to the red phase).
Drivers: Stop if possible.
Pedestrians: DO NOT CROSS.
- When, the two top lights become STEADY RED.
Drivers: Stop. Do not proceed.
Pedestrians: Check for oncoming traffic and cross intersection if safe. Activate the crosswalk signal again in the median/middle of the intersection before proceeding across the other side of Evergreen.
- Then, the two top RED lights start ALTERNATE FLASHING.
Drivers: Stop, then proceed if clear.
Pedestrians: DO NOT CROSS. Press the button and wait for the next crossing cycle to begin again.
- When the system is no longer activated, all three round lights become dark again
Drivers: Proceed IF NO pedestrians are in crosswalk.
Pedestrians: DO NOT CROSS. Drivers have the right-of-way and will probably NOT STOP.
Watch this helpful video for a demonstration on how the Hawk Crosswalk signal works or check examine this helpful graphic for a recap of the steps to follow at the Hawk Crosswalk.
