Obey All pedestrian traffic laws
 
and 

Watch out for your own safety!

Pedestrian Safety

An officer from the Burbank Police Department met with residents of a local senior community to discuss pedestrian safety.  Here are the key points that came out during the presentation and the subsequent discussion that are especially relevant to seniors:

1. Wherever possible, cross the street at an intersection with a crosswalk.   Follow this recommendation even if it means going out of your way or walking a little farther.  There should be no reason for you to be in a real hurry.  Crossing the street in the middle of the block is dangerous, people in cars are not especially looking out for you, and you could be hurt.  Even if walking to the next intersection with a crosswalk made you late, and even if that mattered, it is better to be late than not to arrive at all.
2. Always make eye contact with the driver before you step off the sidewalk and onto the street.  This does not mean just a glance.  This means continuous contact so that you know that the driver sees you and that the driver is going to stop for you.  Some drivers make eye contact with you and assume that you will stop for them!  So be careful.  Be sure that the driver is coming to a stop before you step in front of his car.
3. If you walk during the early morning or in the evening when the natural lighting is not good, wear bright colors, and possibly carry a flashlight.  You are responsible for your own safety, and bright colors and a flashlight will help drivers see that you exist.
4. If you cross a multi-lane street be especially careful to be ready to "go" as soon as the "walk" signal comes on.  Multi-lane streets may not allow enough time for you to get across before the cars start coming.  If you are not paying close attention, you can make this problem worse, and by the time you start crossing, the light has changed, and the traffic is starting to flow.  Quite often, to the person behind the wheel, the only person whose time matters is their own and the pedestrian is just another obstacle to get around.  So to protect yourself, you have to pay attention when you cross the street and do not dilly-dally.
5. Before you cross the street or enter a roadway, look left, look right, and left again.  Watch out for parked cars.  Parked cars can be deadly.   Sometimes cars have tinted windows, and you can't see anyone inside.  And many of today's engines are getting quieter all the time, especially hybrids.   Before you know it you're hit by a parked car, or at least a car you thought was parked.
6. Obey all pedestrian traffic signals.  This is a very serious matter.  When a person driving an automobile breaks a traffic law they are usually risking somebody else's life more than their own.  When a pedestrian breaks a traffic law, they may be risking somebody else's life, but in most cases they are putting themselves and other pedestrians at great physical risk of injury or death.  Obey all pedestrian traffic signals.  Please.

Regarding the possibility that some intersections do not allow enough time for people, especially seniors, to cross the street, the officer suggested that people form a "local committee" and write and sign a group letter to the City Traffic Engineer, Ken Johnson*, with the specifics regarding which intersection(s) need to be fixed.  He felt that group actions, with periodic follow-up, have the greatest chance of bringing about any needed changes.

*Contact Information:

Ken Johnson is Traffic Engineer within the Public Works Department
Public Works Department
Traffic Division
333 East Olive Street
Burbank, CA 91502
(818) 238-3915 (Tel)
http://www.ci.burbank.ca.us/publicworks/Traffic/index.htm

posted 3/20/2008