New York City is a city of walkers and pedestrians account for half of all traffic fatalities each year in our city. Children and older adults face especially high risks for pedestrian injury and death. Here’s how to stay safe on city streets:

• WAIT for a fresh WALK signal so you’ll have the most time to cross the street.
  
  
• LOOK in all directions before you begin to cross, even there is a green light or a WALK signal in your direction.
  
  
• KEEP LOOKING in all directions while you cross the street
  
  
• LISTEN for engine noises of backing vehicles when you’re in a parking lot, near a driveway or crossing mid-block between parked cars.
  
  
• MAKE eye contact with the driver before you step off the curb. Hold your hand up high or wave if necessary.
  
  
• WEAR light or bright clothing and attach retro-reflective material to bags, backpacks and shoes so drivers will notice you. Use a flashlight at night.
  
  
• REMEMBER that it’s just as deadly to walk under the influence of drugs or alcohol as it is to drive under the influence. If you are under the influence or are taking medications that can make you drowsy or dizzy, walk with someone who is alert or wait until you feel more alert yourself.
  
  

Most crashes occur close to home and at speeds below 35 miles per hour. Hitting a windshield at 30 mph is like jumping head first out of a third story window. Follow these tips for safer car travel.

• When used correctly, safety belts double your chances of surviving in a car crash. The law requires all front seat occupants and all children under 16 years of age to buckle up.
  
  
• Children under 4 years of age must be in buckled into a federally approved child safety seat.
  
  
• Wear your seat belt low and tight across your hips.
  
  
• Eliminate risks from airbag deployment by buckling your safety belt and keeping a distance of about 10 inches between your chest and the airbag.
  
  
• The back seat is the safest place for children of any age. The center of the back seat is the safest place to install a car safety seat.
  
  
• Never place a rear-facing child safety seat in the front seat if there is a passenger-side airbag.
  
  
• Use an infant or rear-facing convertible seat for children up to 20 pounds and 26 inches.
  
  
• Use a forward-facing convertible or toddler seat for children who are between 20 and 40 pounds.
  
  
• Children less than 57 inches tall who are too big for a car seat are still too small for safety belts and should be placed in a booster seat.
  
  
• Never drive while intoxicated. Just one drink can be enough to impair your reflexes and judgment. Many prescription medications can cause drowsiness and affect your ability to drive safely.
  
  
• Slow down. Speeding, red-light running and other aggressive driving behaviors greatly increase your chances of crashing.
  
  
• Remember that pedestrian safety is your responsibility, too. Be especially alert for sudden dart-outs in areas where children walk or play and give pedestrians some extra space. Stop before the crosswalk, not in it.
  
  

Head injuries are the most common cause of death among cyclists. Wearing a helmet reduces the risk of serious head injury by 80 percent. The law requires children under 14 to wear a helmet while driving a bike or scooter. Here’s more on how to stay safe on wheels:

• Choose a helmet that has been certified by CPSC, ANSI, or SNELL so you know it has passed strict safety tests.
  
  
• Your helmet should fit snugly and sit on top of your head in a level position. It should not move from side to side or back and forth.
  
  
• In addition to a helmet, you should wear knee pads, elbow pads and wrist guards while on skates, a skateboard or a scooter.
  
  
• Wear non-slip shoes with a good grip and drive on smooth surfaces, avoiding sand, gravel and water.
  
  
• Maintain your vehicle and always check all the parts before driving it.
  
  
• Dress for safety when biking. Wear bright clothing during the day and light colored clothing at night. Use retro-reflective tape on your clothes and shoes. Unlike bikes, scooters have no reflectors and should not be driven after dark.
  
  
• Remember that bicyclists, like other drivers, must follow the rules of the road. Only bicyclists aged 12 and under may drive on the sidewalk. Young children should always be supervises when biking, skating or driving scooters.
  
  

New York City Department of Transportation www.nyc.gov/html/dot. The site has a section on local safety programs including Safety City, car seat checks, and helmet fitting stations, and many other resources for travelers.

New York State Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee www.nysgtsc.stateny.us. Coordinators of New York State traffic safety programs. The site provides information on programs, vehicle law, and safety tips including a kids’ safety page.

Bike New York www.bikenewyork.org. Sponsors of the world’s largest annual bike tour and other cycling events in New York City, Bike New York provides annual support for our Safety City program.

New York State AAA www.aaanys.com. A great resource on legislative and safety issues affecting drivers. Visitors to the site can find out about AAA clubs in their area.

National SAFE KIDS Campaign www.safekids.org. Advocates for child safety, their site contains lifesaving information on traffic safety, fire safety, home safety, poisons, and product recalls.