BOSTON — This Pedestrian Safety Month, we remind Massachusetts motorists to be aware of pedestrians and travel at safe speeds to create a safer walking environment for all. We are all pedestrians sometimes—watch out for others the way you would like yourself and your loved ones to be safe. Pedestrians account for about 18% of all traffic fatalities, making this a critical safety issue.
- We urge drivers to be aware of pedestrians, slow down, and reduce distractions.
- The majority of pedestrian fatalities in 2023 occurred in the dark. If you are a pedestrian, consider reflective gear or lighting to make yourself more visible in low light.
- Drivers should travel at posted speed limits to safely stop at crosswalks.
- Always, always, drive sober and without any impairments.
When children are out at night, make sure they are aware of vehicles and can safely cross streets. Drivers should be especially cautious on Halloween night when children may be unaware of traffic and quickly cross into the road. Talk to your children about walking and playing near traffic.
8 Safety Tips for Drivers
- Look out for pedestrians everywhere and minimize blind spots.
- Use extra caution when driving in hard-to-see conditions, like nighttime or bad weather.
- Slow down and be prepared to stop when turning or otherwise entering a crosswalk.
- Yield to pedestrians in crosswalks and stop from the crosswalk to allow other vehicles to see the crossing pedestrians so they can stop too.
- Never pass vehicles stopped at a crosswalk. There may be people crossing where you can’t see.
- Never drive under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.
- Follow the speed limit, especially around people on the street, in school zones, and neighborhoods where children are present.
- Be extra cautious when backing up and look for pedestrians.
8 Walking Safety Tips
- Follow the rules of the road and obey signs and signals.
- Walk on sidewalks whenever they are available.
- If there is no sidewalk, walk facing traffic as far from traffic as possible.
- Cross streets at crosswalks or intersections. Look for cars in all directions, including those turning left or right.
- If a crosswalk or intersection is not available, locate a well-lit area where you have the best view of traffic. Wait for a gap in traffic that allows enough time to cross safely; continue watching for traffic as you cross.
- Watch for cars entering or exiting driveways, or backing up in parking lots.
- Avoid alcohol and drugs when walking; they impair your abilities and your judgment.
- Embrace walking as a healthy form of transportation – get up, get out, and get moving.
Both pedestrians and drivers should model safe behavior. Speeding is not worth the risk in Massachusetts.
The MAPFRE Insurance-sponsored MassDOT Highway Assistance Program is on patrol to help all motorists, including motorcyclists, on the highways. Patrol operators monitor some of the state’s busiest highways around Metro Boston, Worcester, Springfield, and Cape Cod (seasonal). The Highway Assistance Patrol covers 13 major state roadways and interstates, the Emergency Service Patrol covers the Mass Pike (I-90) from New York to Boston and the Incident Response Operators cover the Metropolitan Highway System and tunnels. The Highway Assistance Patrol is in service Monday–Friday between 6 a.m.–10 a.m. and 3 p.m.–7 p.m. During holidays, there are extended routes in heavy-traffic areas. On I-90, and in Boston’s tunnel system, assistance is provided 24 hours per day, 7 days a week.
Written by,
Your friends at MAPFRE Insurance
Source: MassDOT
