Pedestrian Safety
Stop at the Crosswalks
Both drivers and pedestrians can significantly reduce the chances of being involved in an accident by obeying traffic rules and being aware of your surroundings.
When operating a motor vehicle, the driver must yield to pedestrians who have started crossing at an intersection or crosswalk on a "walk" signal or green light if there is no walk signal.
The driver must yield to pedestrians who are crossing the highway within a marked or unmarked crosswalk at an intersection where there are no traffic control signals. As you travel through the City of Burlington you will notice several crosswalk signs in the middle of the roadway. When pedestrians are waiting to cross, drivers must yield and allow the pedestrians to cross. Drivers must be careful not to pass or overtake any vehicle yielding for a crosswalk as you may not initially see the pedestrian.
Pedestrians must yield to drivers when crossing a road where there is not intersection or crosswalk. Pedestrians should be conscious of their surroundings and should refrain from moving into the path of approaching vehicles which do not have sufficient time to yield to the pedestrian. Before entering a crosswalk, ensure eye contact is made with the driver and the driver is in fact stopping. Pedestrians should walk on and along the left side of a highway when there is no sidewalk. Bicycles should operate on the same side of the road as vehicles. Always look both ways before entering an intersection, you may not be able to hear cars approaching.
Pedestrians would always be diligent and take extra care in the evening hours. When walking at night be sure to wear reflective outdoor clothing making yourself more visible to drivers. Never assume driver's can see you and obey traffic rules to reduce the chance of being injured in an accident.