[Archived] Alexandria Offers Tips for Pedestrian Safety

City Press Release


	City of Alexandria, Virginia Office of the City Manager Alexandria City Hall 301 King Street, Suite 3500 Alexandria, Virginia 22314-3211 www.alexandriava.gov Telephone: 703.838.4300 Fax : 703.838.6343

Alexandria Offers Tips for Pedestrian Safety

The City of Alexandria would like to make sure that all pedestrians are safe from vehicle traffic. In order to help pedestrians better understand roadway safety, the Department of Transportation and Environmental Services offers some helpful tips.

Many people think that a marked crosswalk gives pedestrians that right of way over vehicle traffic; this is not true. Pedestrians cannot enter a crosswalk or intersection in disregard of approaching traffic. Crosswalks have three purposes: to alert drivers that pedestrians may be crossing, to show pedestrians where to cross, and to keep cars from stopping and parking on regular pedestrian crossings.

In order to successfully cross the street always assume the driver does not see you, never step out from anything that blocks the driver’s view of you, wear brightly colored clothes to make it easier for drivers to see you, always walk on the sidewalk, always face traffic while walking, and watch all the lanes of traffic you must cross.

Pedestrian crossing signals are designed to get you across busy streets safely. Some signals are not automatic and must be activated. Those signals have a push button to activate the walk signal. Remember, a steady walking signal means that a pedestrian may start to cross the street. A flashing upraised hand signal means that a pedestrian should not start to cross the street, but anyone who has already started crossing may proceed. A steady upraised hand signal means that a pedestrian should not enter the roadway. A countdown signal displays the number of seconds you have left to cross the street.

For more information about pedestrian safety call, 703.838.4411.

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