Safety message: Be alert when walking, driving

UNMC safety manager John Hauser is reminding members of the UNMC community that traffic safety is the responsibility of both the pedestrian and the driver.

Quoting information from the Nebraska Department of Transportation, Hauser said that 13 pedestrians have been killed in the state so far this year, well above the 2013-17 average of nine.

“With construction going on around campus, getting from place to place requires awareness, caution and common sense,” Hauser said.

He offered these tips from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the National Safety Council:

• Look left, right and left again before crossing the street. Looking left a second time is necessary because a car can cover a lot of distance in a short amount of time.
• Make eye contact with drivers of oncoming vehicles to make sure they see you.
• Be aware of drivers even when you’re in a crosswalk; vehicles have blind spots.
• Don’t wear headphones while walking.
• Never use a cell phone or other electronic device while walking.
• If your view is blocked, move to a place where you can see oncoming traffic.
• Never rely on a car to stop.
• Children younger than 10 should cross the street with an adult.
• Only cross at designated crosswalks.
• Wear bright and/or reflective clothing.
• Walk in groups.

“With a new semester under way, the campus is busier, and people can become distracted,” Hauser said. “It’s important to keep safety in mind, not only on campus but anytime a person is walking, driving or biking.”