Essential Community Guide to Pedestrian Safety
Being a pedestrian means having no protection—just you and the road. And that can be a real concern, especially here in Orange County.
With a population of over 3.1 million people, our county should be a leader in safety. But according to the Office of Traffic and Highway Safety (OTS), Orange County ranks 34th of 58 counties in pedestrian injuries and fatalities. That’s far too high—and it shows we have serious work to do.
The good news? There’s plenty of room for improvement, and it starts with YOU. Every step we take toward safer streets begins with someone speaking up, sharing a concern, or pointing out a problem area.
Let’s work together to make Orange County a place where everyone—walkers, bikers, drivers—can move safely.
Staying safe while walking begins with being alert and aware of your surroundings. Before entering a crosswalk or stepping off a curb, take a moment to scan the area. Look for approaching vehicles from all directions, including those that might be turning. Pay attention to traffic signals, signage, and the behavior of nearby drivers and cyclists.
Understanding your environment can help you avoid hazards and make better decisions that keep you out of harm’s way.
Tips for Everyone
- Cross streets safely
- Choose the best places to cross (Marked crosswalks, corners, pedestrian islands).
- Make eye contact with drivers; never assume drivers will stop—make sure they see you.
- Wait for traffic to stop before stepping out.
- If you find yourself walking in an area without a sidewalk, take extra precautions.
- Always walk facing oncoming traffic. This allows you to see any approaching vehicles and gives you time to react if needed.
- Walking against traffic also ensures you’re more visible to drivers, allowing you to take action quickly if a vehicle comes too close.
- Ensure visibility day and night
- Daytime choices (wear bright or contrasting clothing).
- Nighttime (use reflective materials, flashlight, clip-on light).
- Stay alert (phones, earbuds, screens)
- Pocket phones while crossing, one earbud maximum, and visually scan the driver’s behavior.
- When walking in crowded or busy areas, put your phone away. Save texting, checking emails, or making phone calls for when you’re stopped in a safe spot.
- Focus on your surroundings; this helps you notice potential hazards, like approaching cars, bikes, or other pedestrians, so you can react quickly and stay safe.
- Interact cautiously with vehicles
- Pay attention to turning or backing cars, especially in parking lots and driveways.
- Avoid blind zones behind large vehicles.
- Focus on all vehicles, not just focus on those going straight ahead.
- Be aware of weather and environment
- Rain or snow: expect longer stopping distances for vehicles.
- Fog, dawn, dusk: assume drivers see you late.
- Share space safely on multi-use paths
- With bikes and e-scooters: Keep right, yield to faster users when safe.
- Walk sober
- Avoid alcohol or drugs that can affect your awareness, balance, or judgment.
Tips for Parents
- Model safe behavior
- Demonstrate, then explain each safety step.
- Ensure age-appropriate supervision
- Don’t overestimate your child’s ability to walk alone.
- Children under 10 years of age should have an adult supervisor.
- Teach crossing skills
- Practice at home.
- Practice street drills using stop-look-listen.
- Encourage your child to use the crosswalk- many child pedestrian fatalities occur mid-block.
- Plan and rehearse a safe route
- Select sidewalks, low-speed roads, guarded crossings.
- Walk the route several times.
- Learn school-zone and crossing-guard rules
- Make sure your child knows these rules: Explain the importance of crossing with the crossing guard and following their instructions.
- Consider having them avoid walking during high traffic hours
- 6:00PM – 9:00PM show higher fatalities for child pedestrians.
- Make children visible
- Day: bright outer fit
- Low light: reflective stickers or clip-on LEDs
- Emphasize driveway and parking-lot safety
- Make eye contact with drivers, don’t run through lots, or behind vehicles.
- Be aware of vehicles’ blind spots.
- Teach what to do if lost or injured
- Memorize two emergency phone numbers.
- Seek help from a uniformed adult or inside a store; call 9-1-1.
Tips for Kids Walking To and From School
- Know your route
- Learn street names and landmarks, tell an adult when you leave.
- Learn more than 1 safe route home.
- Use sidewalks
- If there are none, walk on the left side facing cars.
- Stop-look-listen
- Look for approaching cars and listen for traffic.
- Make eye contact with drivers
- Wave and wait until the driver stops or waves back.
- Don’t assume they see you.
- No distractions while crossing
- Put games and phones away, remove earbuds until across.
- Be bright, be seen
- Wear a bright hat or shirt; add a reflector to your backpack.
- Follow crossing guards and signals
- Get help when needed
- Dial 9-1-1, contact a trusted adult.
Resources
https://www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/pedestrian-safety
https://www.cdc.gov/pedestrian-bike-safety/about/pedestrian-safety.html
https://www.safekids.org/content/pedestrian-safety
Child Pedestrian Safety | Pediatrics | American Academy of Pediatrics
Pedestrian Safety | Pediatrics | American Academy of Pediatrics
Walk This Way: Pedestrian Safety Tips