Written By: Prince William County Police Department
October is Pedestrian Safety Month: Use
Crosswalks for Safety
October is #PedestrianSafetyMonth, and #PWCPD
joins the Department of Motor Vehicles and the
National Highway Transportation Safety Administration
in reminding pedestrians and drivers to respect each
other to stay safe on the roads.
Drivers must stop – not just yield – for pedestrians in
all crosswalks in Virginia in any marked or unmarked
intersection where the speed limit is 35 mph or less.
They could face a fine of between $100 and $500 if
they fail to do so. Drivers can proceed once the
pedestrian has passed the lane in which the vehicle is
stopped.
Pedestrians must do their parts as well. While it might
be convenient to cross a roadway wherever they
happen to be, those on foot should use marked
crosswalks for increased safety. Following are some
tips to be safe if you are walking by yourself or with
others:
Cross the street at the corner and use marked
crosswalks when they are available. That’s where
drivers are expecting to see you.
Wait for the walk signal to cross the street.
Watch for turning vehicles.
Before crossing look left, right, and left again.
Watch out for blind spots around trucks and buses.
Avoid using your cell phone while you are crossing
the street.
On an off-street trail, obey all posted signage and
approach intersections with caution.
