Safe travel

Pedestrians

Pedestrians-Check for traffic if you have to step into the road
Pedestrians-Check for traffic if you have to step into the road

Schools can use Kerbcraft to deliver pedestrian training to children.

Visit Share this Space to see our tips for how everyone can enjoy Devon’s roads and paths. You can Download our free Road Safety Communications Toolkit there too

How school communities can set up a Walking Bus or Park and Stride.

General guidance for pedestrians

Highway Code Rules 1-6  has more information for pedestrians and in summary:

  • Pavements or a path should be used if provided.
  • Look both ways before stepping on the road,
  • If there is no pavement, keep to the right-hand side of the road to see oncoming traffic.
  • Take extra care and be prepared to walk in single file, especially on narrow roads or in poor light and keep close to the side of the road.
  • It may be safer to cross the road well before a sharp right-hand bend so that oncoming traffic has a better chance of seeing you. Cross back after the bend.
  • Help other road users to see you. Wear or carry something light-coloured, bright (e.g. a torch) or fluorescent in poor daylight conditions.

Crossing the road safely

Parents should teach their child how to cross the road safely using the  Green Cross Code (Highway Code rules 7 to 17). In summary:

A First find a safe place to cross.
B Stop just before you get to the kerb.
C Look all around for traffic and listen.
D If traffic is coming, let it pass.
E When it is safe, go straight across the road – do not run.

Don’t be a smartphone zombie 72% of drivers often see pedestrians step into the road while distracted by their phone.

Pavement Parking

Pavement parking creates hazards for pedestrians, particularly blind or partially sighted people, children, and wheelchair and pushchair users because it forces people out into the road, putting them at risk from traffic.

Report pavement parking in Devon online or call 0345 155 1004

Living Streets has produced some posters encouraging considerate parking which can be displayed in your local community.

Idling engines

Considerate drivers turn off their engines when parked - especially near schools!
Considerate drivers turn off their engines when parked – especially near schools!

Fumes released from idling engines contribute to air pollution and its estimated that 36,000 early deaths a year can be linked to air pollution.

Toxic air disproportionately impacts children from the moment they are conceived. Motorists should turn off their engines if stationary for more than 10 seconds.

Living Streets and the British Lung Foundation have created an Anti Idling Toolkit  on how to run an Anti-Idling campaign in the local community.

Mobility scooter users

See & Scoot is a training resource for mobility scooter users. The purpose of the training is to highlight the hazards which mobility scooter users may encounter whilst out on the roads.