When a pedestrian is struck by a vehicle, more than 80 percent of the time the pedestrian is killed or seriously injured. In Michigan, more than 100 pedestrians die each year. Most of these deaths occur between 6 p.m. and midnight, with many fatalities occurring when pedestrians cross the roadway somewhere other than at an intersection or when a driver fails to yield.

Pedestrians should:

– Use sidewalks whenever available.

– Obey traffic signals, signs and markings.

– Cross streets at a corner, using traffic signals and crosswalks whenever possible.

– If you must walk along the roadway, walk facing traffic as far to the left as possible.

– Always stop at the edge of a parked car, curb, or vehicle before walking out into traffic.

– Look left-right-left before crossing a street and continue looking while crossing.

– Make eye contact with drivers prior to crossing roadways.

– Be visible: wear reflective clothing and lights at night and wear bright colors during the day.

– Never allow children under age 10 to cross the streets alone. Young children do not have the skills to accurately judge traffic risks.

Drivers should:

– Obey traffic signals, signs and markings.

– Yield to pedestrians.

– Stop well back from the crosswalk to give other vehicles an opportunity to see the crossing pedestrians so they can stop too.

– Never pass vehicles stopped at a crosswalk. There may be people crossing that you can’t see.

– Avoid distractions.

– Obey the posted speed limit.

– Stay alert and take extra caution at intersections, especially when making turns.

– Make eye contact with pedestrians waiting to cross roadways.

– Be extra cautious when backing up-pedestrians can move into your path.