Walking safely near traffic, for you and your kids

In 2024, 7,080 people were killed while walking, one every 74 minutes, and more than 71,000 were injured. The common crashes follow a few patterns. A car turns into someone crossing, or a person steps out in the middle of a block. Someone walks with traffic and can't see the car behind them, or a car backs out of a driveway or parking space without looking.

Where to walk

• Walk on the sidewalk wherever there is one
• With no sidewalk, walk facing traffic, as far from it as you canWalking with traffic at your back means you can't see a car coming.
• Cross at a crosswalk or an intersectionThat's where drivers expect people on foot.
• Where there's no crosswalk, cross in a well-lit spot with the best view of the trafficWait for a gap long enough to cross, and keep watching as you go.
• Watch for cars pulling in and out of driveways and backing up in parking lots

Being seen

• Wear reflective material or carry a flashlight after darkWear bright clothing during the day.
• Make eye contact with drivers as they come toward youNever assume a driver has seen you, and wait for the car to stop completely before you step out.
• Look for turning cars as well as through traffic
• Keep the phone and the earbuds out of the way
• Skip the drinks before a walk homeAlcohol and drugs slow your judgment on foot too.

Teaching children

• Have a child under 10 cross with someoneAn adult, or a brother or sister over 12, can help them cross.
• Teach them to look left, right, then left againKeep looking while they cross, and walk rather than run.
• Tell them that moving wheels mean the car is movingA quiet car can still be about to pull away.
• Teach them to wait for the walk signal and check for themselvesDon't just follow the crowd across.
• Teach them that if they can't see the driver, the driver can't see them
• Have them look both ways before crossing to the school bus, and again after getting off

When you're the driver

Slow down and be ready to stop when you turn into a crosswalk. Stop well back from a crosswalk so other drivers can see the person crossing too, and never pass a car stopped at one. Take extra care at night and in bad weather, when people on foot are harder to see and can appear suddenly.