Be Safe, Be Alert, Wherever You May Be!

Each year, nearly 3,000 people are hit by vehicles in Chicago. In 2013, 29 pedestrians were killed in car crashes. Many of these collisions are preventable by all of us obeying simple traffic laws. 

Be Safe, Be Alert is a city-wide traffic safety campaign that urges drivers, pedestrians and cyclists to follow traffic laws, pay attention, and create a safer city. Whether walking, biking or driving, it’s your duty to be safe and be alert. 

While walking: use crosswalks, look both ways before crossing and avoid talking on a cell phone or dulling your perceptions with headphones. 

While bicycling: share the road, obey the rules. Stop for pedestrians in crosswalks and at traffic signals. It’s the law. As bicycling facilities increase in Chicago, so have fines for dangerous bicycling behavior. 

While driving: stop for pedestrians in crosswalks. It’s the law. Don’t be surprised if you hear a police siren pulling you over next time you blow through a crosswalk in front of a crossing pedestrian.

It’s up to you. Keep your speed to 30 mph or less on city streets. The danger of killing a pedestrian or your passengers in a crash goes up as motor vehicle speed goes up.
Just one crash could change your life forever. Be safe, be alert.

Reference: About the Campaign in www.ChicagoPedSafety.org.

Whichever city you may live in or simply visit, please be careful, for goodness sake.