Campus Security & Public Safety

As the days grow shorter and the weather becomes more inclement, it’s more important than ever to follow these basic safety tips:

Safety tips for PEDESTRIANS:

Be safe and be seen: make yourself visible to drivers

• Wear bright/light colored clothing and reflective materials.
• 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

• Always walk on the sidewalk; if there is no sidewalk, walk facing traffic.
• Stay sober; walking while impaired increases your chance of being struck.
• Don’t assume vehicles will stop; make eye contact with drivers, don’t just look at the vehicle. 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.
• Watch for turning vehicles; make sure the driver sees you and will stop for you.
• Look across ALL lanes you must cross and visually clear each lane before proceeding. Just because one motorist stops, do not presume drivers in other lanes can see you and will stop for you.
• Don’t wear headphones or talk on a cell phone while crossing. 

Pedestrian safety tips for DRIVERS:

Be alert: watch for pedestrians at all times

• Scan the road and the sides of the road ahead for potential pedestrians.
• Before making a turn, look in all directions for pedestrians crossing.
• Don’t drive distracted or after consuming alcohol or other drugs.
• Do not use your cell phone while driving.
• Look carefully behind your vehicle for approaching pedestrians before backing-up, especially small children.
• For maximum visibility, keep your windshield clean and headlights on.

Be responsible: yield to pedestrians at crossings

• Yield to pedestrians in crosswalks, whether marked or unmarked.
• Yield to pedestrians when making right or left turns at intersections.
• Do not block or park in crosswalks.

Be patient: drive the speed limit and avoid aggressive maneuvers

• Never pass/overtake a vehicle that is stopped for pedestrians.
• Obey speed limits and come to a complete stop at STOP signs.
• Use extra caution when driving near children playing along the street or older pedestrians who may not see or hear you.
• Always be prepared to stop for pedestrians.

Washington State Law Regarding Pedestrians & Crosswalks:

RCW 46.61.230
RCW 46.61.235
RCW 46.61.240

The overall pedestrian safety and transportation on and around Gonzaga University’s campus is being examined by four senior civil engineering students for potential improvements. The following questions will help to pinpoint concerns. The link for the survey is provided below. Responses will be taken into account in determining what are the biggest safety concerns on and around Gonzaga University’s campus.

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/GonzagaPedestrianSurvey

(if the link doesn’t take you directly to the survey, please copy and paste it into your web browser)

http://www.kxly.com/localvideo/index.html?v=26867

Found a great new website that has some good common sense safety tips for both walking and biking, and also the laws regarding crosswalks, bike helmets, etc. Check out StickmanKnows.org: http://www.stickmanknows.org/