With Nova Scotia’s children heading back to school, police are expecting pedestrian traffic to increase on our roadways. In pedestrian-motor vehicle accidents, it is usually the pedestrian who sustains injuries, often with tragic results.

The RCMP offers the following safety tips to pedestrians on any Nova Scotia roadway:

– Assume drivers cant see you;

– Don’t assume that because you are in a crosswalk a driver can see you and is going to stop;

– Cross at marked crosswalks or traffic lights, not in the middle of the block or between parked cars;

– Make sure drivers see you before you cross;

– Cross when traffic has come to a complete stop in both directions;

– If there is no pedestrian crossing lights, wait until it is safe to cross. Make eye contact with drivers and wait for the traffic to stop in both directions. Even cars that appear to be slowing down may not stop;

– At a traffic light, cross at the beginning of a green light. Do not cross once the Don’t Walk signal begins to flash or once the light has turned to yellow. Never cross on a red light;

– Watch for traffic turning at intersections or entering and leaving driveways;

– Watch for drivers making unexpected moves; and

– When walking at night, wear bright or light-colored clothing or reflective strips and carry a flashlight.

The RCMP would like to remind the public that pedestrian safety is everyone’s is responsibility.

Source: http://www.bedfordbeacon.com/pedestrians-urged-to-be-attentive