Pedestrian Safety

Thousands of pedestrians are killed or injured each year in traffic crashes.  Safety of pedestrians is a shared responsibility.  Pedestrians and motorists each must do their part to minimize the risk of these tragic events.  While drivers must yield to pedestrians in crosswalks, pedestrians must also follow the law when they cross a street.

Motorists

  • Drivers must exercise due care to avoid collisions with pedestrians
  • Slow down and be prepared to stop at crosswalks
  • Drivers must yield to pedestrians within crosswalk
  • Pedestrians should give drivers adequate time and distance to react and stop but be prepared for pedestrians to suddenly leave a curb and walk or run into the path of your vehicle
  • Never pass vehicles stopped at a crosswalk

Pedestrians

  • Use only designated crosswalks
  • Look left, right, and left again before stepping into crosswalk
  • Be sure to evaluate the distance and speed of oncoming traffic before crossing to ensure that vehicles had adequate distance to stop safely
  • Pedestrians must give drivers adequate time and distance to react and stop so do not suddenly leave a curb and walk or run into the path of a vehicle (safe stopping distance for a vehicle traveling 25 mph is more than 100 feet when considering reaction time of driver)
  • Never assume that motorists are aware you are in the crosswalk
  • Always try to make eye contact with motorists and proceed with caution
  • Pedestrians must remain alert and use good judgment when crossing any street or roadway (using headphones, texting or talking on cell phones while walking are all distractions that impair ability to react to traffic)

    ECU is concerned about the safety of pedestrians on and adjacent to campus. The Traffic Safety Taskforce has collaborated with the City of Greenville and NCDOT to complete several projects at critical locations that include rapid flashing beacons to enhance pedestrian safety. Some of these projects include the crosswalks at Charles and Ficklen, 10th Street and Anderson, 9th and Cotanche, 5th Street at Treybrooke Apartments and 14th Street at Berkley Drive.

                                                         

     

    Additional information regarding pedestrian safety is available at the following links:

    NHTSA/DOT Everyone is a Pedestrian – http://www.nhtsa.gov/nhtsa/everyoneisapedestrian/index.html

    NHTSA/DOT Video: Getting There Safely – VIDEO: Getting There Safely

    WATCH FOR ME NC brochure – http://www.watchformenc.org/wp-content/themes/WatchForMeNC_Custom/CampaignMaterials/WFM_Brochure.pdf

    NCOSHR WalkSmart NC – https://oshr.nc.gov/state-employee-resources/workplace-safety/walksmartnc