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We love to give out important tips for driving safely and taking great care of your car. Giving help and fixing cars is why we're in the business of auto repair. We also want to share tips on how to be safe when on the road as a pedestrian. It's especially important to think safety when out walking with little ones this week for Halloween, but also on into fall as it gets darker and weather conditions vary here in Bellevue, the Eastside, and in the northwest in general.
We would like to help you and yours be safer this Halloween and this fall by going over some safety tips for being a smart pedestrian. We must work together to be safe---pedestrians AND drivers---as "road users."
Here are some GREAT safety tips for pedestrians on Halloween and at all times in darker months:
Be safe and be seen: make yourself visible to drivers Wear bright/light-colored clothing and reflective materials. (Pay attention to your costume on Halloween and be aware that it may make it LESS easy to be seen).
Carry a flashlight when walking at night.
Cross in a well-lit area at night.
Stand clear of buses, hedges, parked cars, or other obstacles before crossing so drivers can see you.
Be smart and alert: avoid dangerous behaviors. (Halloween is a fun time, but goofing off in or near a roadway is OUT OF THE QUESTION!)
Always walk on the sidewalk; if there is no sidewalk, walk facing traffic.
Stay sober; walking while impaired (just like when driving) increases your chance of being struck.
Don't assume vehicles will stop; make eye contact with drivers, and don't just look at the car. If a driver is on a cell phone, they may not be paying enough attention to drive safely.
Don't rely solely on pedestrian signals; look before you cross the road.
Be alert to engine noise or backup lights on cars when in parking lots and near on-street parking spaces.
Be careful at crossings: look before you step
Cross streets at marked crosswalks or intersections, if possible.
Obey traffic signals such as WALK/DON'T WALK signs.
Look left, right, and left again before crossing a street.
Ali's Bellevue Auto Repair would also like to add that you should be careful to hold hands with children as they cross the street, and even on the sidewalks if the road is hectic. We are a family business, and there is nothing more important than protecting your family and especially young children. Have a happy and safe Halloween, and we hope you can safely enjoy all of your walks in our Northwest weather this fall.
And, in order to keep your car in control during the autumn and winter conditions, come see Ali's for brake repairs, wheel alignment services, headlight or electrical issues, and even wiper blades. We'd love to help keep everyone safe!