Getting there by Foot

Why should you always stop at the curb or the outside edge of a parked car before entering the street?
To ensure the student has time to look for oncoming traffic and provide time for oncoming drivers to see and avoid colliding with the student.

Why should you look left, right, and left after stopping and then look over the shoulder for turning cars?
To ensure that if the student sees a car, they are cautioned to look left, right, and left again until no cars are coming. (This sequence ensures the student looks both ways and has checked left first and last toward the most immediate threat.)

What is a visual screen?
A visual screen is anything that blocks your view of oncoming vehicles. For example, a parked car can be a visual screen. (Reinforce to the student that when encountering a visual screen such as a car: Stop at the curb and look to see if someone is in the car; then go out to the edge and look left, right, and then left again.)

What does the push button do?
By pushing the push button, it tells the traffic signal controller (which is like a computer) that you are there and want to cross the street.

What should be done when approaching Green lights and “Walk” signals?
Students should first stop and look left, right, and then left again, then cross the street if it is safe. Also, look for cars that might be turning from either right or left before crossing.

What does a flashing “Don’t Walk” signal mean?
Keep on going if you’ve already started crossing into the street, or stay on the curb if you haven’t started. (Reinforce this message by staying on the curb if the “Don’t Walk” signal comes on while the pedestrian is still on the curb. But if the pedestrian is already crossing the street and the “Don’t Walk” signal comes on, the pedestrian is to proceed crossing the street with caution.)

Suggested Activities:

1. Field Trip: Pedestrian Safety in Action
   Take the class on a field trip where the students can apply the pedestrian safety rules they’ve learned in class. For example, a controlled intersection, parking lot, or even a walk in the school neighborhood.
   Objective Rule: How to cross at a controlled intersection light.

   • The students can practice waiting for the green light and the Walk signal before crossing, looking left-right-left, and checking over the shoulder for turning cars before crossing.

2. Question & Answer Quiz:

   • The teacher should have the students answer the questions on a sheet of paper and complete the quiz.
   • Next, the students should select a partner and exchange their quiz sheet.
   • The teacher will go over the answers of the quiz, and each student will grade their partner’s quiz.
   • The students will return the quizzes to their original owners and review them. For any wrong answers, the partners should discuss the appropriate answer as given by the teacher. If both partners determine their answers are 100% correct, the teacher can acknowledge which partner groups achieved a perfect score in pedestrian safety for the day.