Road safety is a shared responsibility. Use these tips to stay safe while walking and getting around the streets of Vermont.
Be a Safe Pedestrian
- Always use the sidewalk. If there is no sidewalk, walk facing traffic as far away from the road as you can.
- Follow pedestrian traffic signals and the rules of the road.
- Watch for cars backing up in parking lots. Brake lights can mean that a car is about to back up.
- Be seen at night. Walk in well-lit areas, carry a flashlight, or wear something reflective. Get safety tips from "Be Bright at Night."
- Cut down on distractions from cell phones and earphones so you can watch and listen for cars and other road users.
Crosswalk Safety
How to Safely Cross the Road
- Cross the street where you have the best view of traffic. Look left, right, and for cars backing up or turning.
- Make sure each lane of traffic is clear before crossing.
- At bus stops, cross at the nearest crosswalk or behind the bus.
- Vermont drivers must yield to pedestrians in all crosswalks. But never assume a car will stop for you.
- Don’t cross distracted. Put phones down and remove earphones when crossing the street.
Safety Tips for Kids
Walk together safely
- Set a good example when walking with your child.
- Use sidewalks or walking paths whenever possible.
- Follow traffic signals and crosswalks.
- Hold hands with children when crossing the street.
Teach safe walking habits
- Show children how to look left, right, and for cars that may be backing up or turning.
- Teach your child how to watch and listen for cars, cyclists, and trains.
- Explain that drivers may not always see them, day or night.
- Teach children to put away distractions, like using their phone and earphones.
Play safe near roads
- Watch children when they are playing near streets, driveways or unfenced yards.
- Teach them never to play in or run into the street.
Know when they're ready to walk alone
- The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children be at least 10 years old before walking to school without an adult.
- Let your child walk alone only when they feel comfortable and are mature enough to follow safety rules.
Translated Information
Be Bright At Night in: العربية (Arabic) စာမြန်မာ (Burmese) دری (Dari) English Français (French) Kirundi 简体字 (Chinese - Simplified) नेपाली (Nepali) پښتو (Pashto) Soomaali (Somali) Español (Spanish) Kiswahili (Swahili) Tingrinya українська (Ukrainian) Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese)
Watch For Me VT in: العربية (Arabic) စာမြန်မာ (Burmese) دری (Dari) English Français (French) Kirundi 简体字 (Chinese - Simplified) नेपाली (Nepali) پښتو (Pashto) Soomaali (Somali) Español (Spanish) Kiswahili (Swahili) Tingrinya українська (Ukrainian) Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese)
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