Pedestrian Safety Starts with You: Essential Tips for Pedestrians and Drivers

Dear Cañada Community,

September is Pedestrian Safety Month in California.

As we begin the new school year, we are excited to welcome everyone back to campus. The campus Public Safety team would like to remind of the importance of pedestrian safety and for drivers to slow down and be alert for people walking on our roads, specifically in key high-traffic areas of campus including:

1. The three-way intersection in front of Building 1 at The Loop Road and Campus Circle
2. The crosswalk from Cañada Vista on Campus Drive to Parking Lot 2
3. The crosswalks in front of Lot 4 at Campus Circle
4. Reminder: the roadway outside of Building 8 is for Facilities/Emergency vehicles only

Public Safety and Facilities have taken several measures to enhance safety on our campus streets, which include: additional directional signs, illuminated stop signs, roadway reflectors and painted fresh arrows to improve visibility and guidance. Even with the new measures in place, participation from the campus and greater community is needed to ensure safety. Below are important safety tips for drivers and pedestrians:

For Drivers:

1. Always be on the lookout for pedestrians
2. Adhere to speed limits, particularly around pedestrians, in school zones, and in residential areas. The maximum speed limit on campus is 25 MPH unless otherwise posted
3. Adhere to all posted traffic signs such as speed limit, traffic direction or other traffic safety indicators
4. Exercise extra caution in poor visibility conditions, such as nighttime or inclement weather
5. Slow down and be ready to stop when turning or entering a crosswalk
6. Yield to pedestrians in crosswalks and stop far enough back to allow other vehicles to see the crossing pedestrians
7. Never pass vehicles stopped at a crosswalk; there may be pedestrians you cannot see
8. Never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs
9. Be particularly cautious when reversing, and watch for pedestrians

For Pedestrians:

1. Be aware of the rules of the road and obey traffic signs and signals
2. Use sidewalks whenever they are available
3. If no sidewalk is available, walk facing traffic and stay as far from it as possible
4. Cross streets at designated crosswalks or intersections, and watch for turning vehicles
5. Use crosswalk activation buttons, if available, as they provide an additional visual notice to drivers
6. If no crosswalk or intersection is available, choose a well-lit area with good visibility of traffic. Wait for a safe gap in traffic and continue to watch as you cross
7. Be alert for vehicles entering or exiting driveways or backing up in parking lots
8. Avoid alcohol and drugs, as they impair your judgment and abilities
9. Embrace walking as a healthy form of transportation—get up, get out, and get moving

By taking these extra precautions, together, we can help protect pedestrians and reduce the risk of crashes and injuries. Walking should always be an easy and safe option for getting around any community.

Thank you for your partnership to keep our campus safe!