Pedestrian Safety Campaign

Yard Sign Order Form

The City of Roanoke staff will be dropping off campaign yard signs to any/all interested Roanoke residents from Friday, July 17 – Friday, July 24.

Campaign Graphics

Use our campaign graphics to help spread the word

Memorial Bridge – Download

St Andrews – Download

About

In the City of Roanoke, too many pedestrians are hurt or killed in crashes with cars. To help decrease pedestrian-involved crashes, the City of Roanoke applied for and received a Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles grant to create a citywide pedestrian safety campaign. The eight-week campaign will run from July 13 – September 4 with the goals of:

•       Reducing the number of crashes between vehicles and people walking
•       Increasing compliance with Virginia state law at crosswalks for both drivers and pedestrians

Campaign Plans

The Roanoke Pedestrian Safety Campaign includes a mix of paid media and community outreach to reach people who live or work in the City of Roanoke. Campaign materials aim to increase awareness of an important part of Virginia law: that in Virginia, every corner is a crosswalk, whether it’s painted or not.

Keep your eye out more upcoming campaign materials on:

• The radio
• TV
• Valley Metro buses
• Berglund Center Marquees
• Communications from City agencies and local businesses
• Yard signs and posters throughout the community

Drivers

Stop for Pedestrians to help prevent crashes

Crosswalk Law for Drivers

Virginia law requires people driving to stop for pedestrians in the crosswalk, whether it is painted or not. Drivers may be more familiar with painted crosswalks, but they should know that every intersection (or corner) is a crosswalk whether it is painted or not. VA Code 46.2-926

How People Driving Can Prevent Crashes:

Be aware

• Be aware of your surroundings and always on the lookout for pedestrians (especially children) on the side of the street. Be prepared to slow down and stop should a pedestrian step into the road.

Look for people crossing the street before turning right or left

• Before turning right or left, look for pedestrians and stop for them.
• When turning right on red, come to a complete stop and scan for pedestrians. Only proceed when it is clear.

Stop for pedestrians at all crosswalks, and remember some crosswalks are not painted

• When in doubt, consider that just about every corner in Virginia is a crosswalk. While some crosswalks are painted, many are not.
• Stop for pedestrians who have a “Walk” signal and anyone in a crosswalk. Drivers must stop even if the pedestrian is crossing once the “Walk” signal has expired.

Pedestrians

Cross responsibly to help prevent crashes

Crosswalk Laws for Pedestrians 

Virginia law says that pedestrians have the right of way in crosswalks and at intersections. However, the law also says that pedestrians should never step into the crosswalk (painted or not) if there is not enough time for a driver to stop. While painted crosswalks are easy to see, unmarked crosswalks are not. Unmarked crosswalks exist wherever streets intersect, at the corners of the street. VA Code 46.2-924

How people walking can prevent crashes:

Be predictable

• Cross at the corner or designated crosswalk. Drivers won’t expect you to cross mid-block without a crosswalk, and you may be held accountable for a crash if you are not in a legal crosswalk.

Expect the unexpected

• Look both ways for right and left-turning vehicles before you cross. Cross only when it is safe to do so.

Always cross at the corner, rather than mid-block

• If there is not a painted crosswalk mid-block, don’t cross there. Walk to the corner and cross there instead.

Follow the signals

• Use the pushbuttons to cross, when they are available. In Roanoke, some push buttons trigger “Walk” signals and others trigger green lights which give you the right-of-way to cross the street in the same direction of the traffic flow. 
• Always look both ways before crossing the street.

If you have questions or concerns about this campaign or pedestrian safety in your neighborhood, contact Andrea Garland at the Transportation Division at andrea.garland@roanokeva.gov, or 540-853-2676

Related Updates

The City of Roanoke is working on several infrastructure projects to upgrade pedestrian facilities throughout the city.

Leading Pedestrian Intervals