Pedestrian Safety Notification

Dear WPI Community,

As the clocks rolled back this weekend and the daylight hours become shorter, we would like to take this opportunity to remind all WPI community members about pedestrian and traffic safety. Please be alert for cars and pedestrians as your traverse the campus and immediate off-campus area.

Traffic Safety

 Pedestrians 

• Whenever possible, cross at marked crosswalks or traffic lights, not in the middle of the block or between parked cars.
• Look all ways before crossing.
• Make sure drivers see you before you cross the street -- try to make eye contact with drivers before stepping off the curb.
• Cross only when traffic has come to a complete stop.
• At traffic lights, cross at the beginning of a green light. 
  • Do not cross once the “Don’t Walk” signal begins to flash or once the light has turned to yellow. 
  • Never cross on a red light.
• Watch for traffic turning at intersections or entering and leaving driveways.
• Increase your visibility at night by carrying a flashlight and wearing bright or light – colored clothing or reflective strips when walking in dusk or darkness.
• It's safest to walk on a sidewalk, but if one is not available, walk on the shoulder and face traffic.

Avoid distractions such as electronic devices that take your attention off vehicular traffic.

Drivers

• Keep your eyes on the road and both hands on the wheel.
• Don’t be distracted by talking to passengers, eating, drinking, or using your phone.
• Always yield to pedestrians in a crosswalk.
• Always look for pedestrians, especially when turning.
• Stay alert.
• Slow down on residential streets and through school zones.
• Never pass a stopped car when approaching a marked pedestrian crosswalk.
• Always proceed with caution when passing any stopped vehicle.
• Always look for cyclists before opening your car door into traffic.
• Do not tailgate.  Maintain a sufficient distance from the car in front of you so that you will have plenty of distance to stop.

Thank you for working with us to increase safety and reduce the risk of accidents around the campus. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Campus Police at 508-831-5433 or the Student Affairs Office at 508-831-5201.

Best regards,

Cheryl Martunas                                                         Philip Clay

Director of Public Safety                                            Vice President of Student Affairs

Chief of Police                                                            Dean of Students