pedestrian safety Archives - Traffic Safety Team

Florida’s weather may be unpredictable, but it offers many great opportunities to get outside. Residents, snowbirds, and vacationers enjoy riding their bikes and walking. Your Community Traffic Safety Team wants everyone to stay safe by following these pedestrian and bicyclist safety tips!

Pedestrian/Bicyclists | Safety Tips

bike ped safety tip card — *Wear bright colors. Increase your visibility and use bike lights/reflectors.*

With so many people heading outdoors for a bike ride, motorists – please ALWAYS WATCH for bicyclists on the road. Bicyclists, wear bright colors or reflective gear, so you are visible.

Walking is great for your health and environment! Lace-up and get moving, but be sure to SEE and BE SEEN. Make eye contact with drivers. Drivers, please look in all directions for people on foot!

bike safety tip — *Be predictable. Use sidewalks where provided. Cross streets where it is legal to do so.*

It’s essential when riding your bicycle to be predictable. Use sidewalks and cross where it is legal. Motorists are to give three feet by law when following or passing cyclists.

Walking is a great way to get fresh air and exercise. Remember to look left, right, and left again for traffic. Motorists, please drive with care and share the road.

Pedestrians should walk defensively and be prepared for the unexpected. Drivers, please remember to focus on driving and eliminate distractions; phones down, eyes up!

Be careful in busy parking lots – these areas can be more dangerous than streets! Drivers must proceed with caution and be on the lookout for pedestrians.

WALKING AND BIKING DEFENSIVELY

Walking and bike riding are great ways to stay active and healthy. Exercising is also a great tool for people of all ages and improves driving skills, especially older drivers. To learn more, check out our Defensive Driving Tools.

Exercise/Fitness Benefits:

Enhances mobility, flexibility, and balance
- Helps maintain or lose weight
- Reduces impact of illness and chronic disease
- Helps with better sleep and more energy
- Improves mood and self-confidence
- Boosts cognitive function

Click here for more great pedestrian safety tips for walkers and drivers.

Click here for important bicycle safety tips and resources for cyclists and motorists.

Traffic Control Box Wraps: “Push, Wait, Walk”

Over 70 pedestrian safety traffic control box wraps have been installed in Northeast Florida with a message that reminds walkers to “Always Use The Crosswalk, Walk On Sidewalks & Be Aware!” When crossing at a lighted intersection with a crosswalk, it is important to “Push” the crosswalk button, “Wait” for the light to change and cars to completely stop, and “Walk” with caution while making sure oncoming cars are stopping and drivers see you in the crosswalk. Take a look at the quick highlight video of this message on traffic control boxes.

No Regrets When You Cross With Care

Your Community Traffic Safety Team is dedicated to “Bringing You Home Safely.” Remember to always use a crosswalk or cross at an intersection, not in the middle of a block. Walk on the sidewalk or facing traffic as far from traffic as possible when a sidewalk is not available. Constantly be aware, and make sure drivers see you!

We have also been targeting drivers with its “No Regrets When You DRIVE WITH CARE” safety messages and continues to promote safe driving education and reminders. Over the past year, the campaign has been extended onto streets for a positive reminder to walkers everywhere to be safe and arrive alive.

Visit our Pedestrian Safety page for more information and resources.

Video clip of the first pedestrian safety message being installed on a traffic control box: Crosswalk Safety