Watch for pedestrians in crosswalks

Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays many Klager and Riverside students participate in a Walk to School program gathering in and then leaving from Wurster Park and Chi Bro Park.

Back to school season, combined with more pleasant temperatures and reduced humidity, have combined to bring out many walkers on village sidewalks. And, at some point in their walk, almost every pedestrians will need to cross the street to reach their destination. This can put a pedestrian of any age–but most especially school children–in danger from an oncoming car. Some simple common-sense rules can help keep you and your children safe, whether walking for pleasure or walking to school.

First of all, when is it necessary to stop for a pedestrian waiting to cross the street?

Michigan law states, “Vehicles must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians within a crosswalk that are in the same half of the roadway as the vehicle or when a pedestrian is approaching closely enough from the opposite side of the roadway to be in danger.”

In other words, if a pedestrian has entered the crosswalk (assuming they have judged the crossing is safe enough when they start out), a vehicle must stop in the lane and yield to allow the pedestrian to cross. A local ordinance in the City of Ann Arbor has even stricter standards than the state law, but Manchester is covered under the state law.

The Michigan Secretary of State office provides these reminders for pedestrians:

• Cross the street at an intersection or designated crosswalk when possible and always stop, look left, right, and left again before crossing.
• Come to the edge of a parked vehicle, then stop and look both ways if it’s blocking the view of the street before entering the street.
• Try to make eye contact with drivers before crossing in front of them and do not assume that because you can see the driver, the driver can see you.
• Watch for cars that are turning or backing up.
• Be vigilant in parking lots, especially when accompanying small children.
• Increase visibility at night by carrying a flashlight when walking and by wearing light-colored or reflective clothing that highlights body movements.

And these reminders are provided for drivers:

• Look out for and always yield the right-of-way to people walking, jogging, biking, etc.
• Pull out slowly from driveways and parking areas while watching for vulnerable road users, including children and others on the sidewalk or nearby pathways.
• Stop fully before turning at driveways and intersections to make sure you do not cut off pedestrians or approaching bicyclists with right of way.
• Do not pass vehicles stopped at crosswalks, as they may be allowing a pedestrian to cross the street.
• Yield to anyone crossing the street when turning left on a green light.
• Watch for surprising changes in direction, especially by children or cyclists avoiding road hazards.
• Leave sufficient space when passing vulnerable road users and take every possible precaution to avoid collision.

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by Marsha Chartrand

Marsha Johnson Chartrand, a founder, writer, and copy editor with the Manchester Mirror, is a 50-year resident of Manchester. She has a long history of volunteer and community involvement.