Pedestrian Safety

* Stay on the sidewalk and crosswalks. Avoid walking in traffic where there are no sidewalks or crosswalks. If you have to walk on a road that does not have sidewalks, walk facing traffic.

* Most people hit by cars are struck when they cross the road at places other than intersections. Stop at the curb and look left, right and left again for traffic. Stopping at the curb signals drivers that you intend to cross. Cross in marked crosswalks and obey the signal.

* Drivers need to see you to avoid you. Stay out of the driver’s blind spot. Make eye contact with drivers when crossing busy streets. Wear bright colors or reflective clothing if you are walking near traffic at night. Carry a flashlight when walking in the dark. Do not let children play near traffic or cross the street by themselves. Since kids are small, drivers may not see them if they run into the street.

Seat Belt Safety

* Wear your lap and shoulder belt correctly, low and snug across the hips, and the shoulder belt across your chest, not in front of your neck or face. Do not put the shoulder belt under your arm or behind your back. If your car has air bags, make sure you wear both the lap and shoulder belt for the best protection.

* Move the seat back as far as possible from the air bag. Never place babies under 1 year old in the front seat of a car with a passenger-side air bag.

* Always keep a baby’s safety seat in the back seat and facing the rear of the car. All children are safest in the back seat using the safety belt or in a child safety seat. Pregnant women should always wear the lap and shoulder belt, with the lap belt firmly placed under the belly and across the hips.

* Buckle up on every trip.

Driving in Rain

* Drive with your headlights on.

* Don’t speed up when driving through standing water--doing so may cause tires to lose contact with the road. If you do hydroplane, hold the steering wheel steady and lightly apply the brakes. After your wheels regain contact with the road, slow down until you have full control of the car.

Driving in Fog

* It is illegal to drive without your headlights on. Do not drive with just your parking or fog lights on; you must use your low-beam headlights.

* Reduce speed significantly to compensate for reduced visibility. In Tule fog, visibility can deteriorate in as little as an eighth of a mile or less.

* Do not stop on the freeway unless it is an emergency.

Source: Ventura Police Department