SAFETY NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH (NW) CORNER By Fay Wood, NW Chief Save the Date for the 2025 Police Chiefs Meet & Greet on February 3, 2025! Worth Repeating - Thanks to Law Enforcement Are You a Distracted Driver? Take action to avoid the distraction. Most people know that texting and talking on the phone while driving are dangerous activities. But they aren’t the only things that can distract you while you’re driving. Dashboard infotainment systems, navigation tools and even passengers can easily take your focus off the road. Distracted driving is a deadly problem— thousands of deaths have occurred, according to statistics from National Highway & Traffic. Tips that can help you avoid distractions while driving: • Put it away: Place your phone out of sight to prevent temptation. • Know where you’re going: Set your navigation system before driving. • Pull over: If you must call or text while driving, safely pull off the road and stop. • Ask passengers for help: Ask a passenger to help navigate, make a call or send a message. • Don’t be a distraction yourself: Avoid calling or texting others when you know they are driving. • Use “do not disturb”: Many phones have settings that silence incoming calls and messages while your phone is synced with your car. KNOW THE BASICS— PEDESTRIAN SAFETY 8 Safety Tips for Drivers From National Highway Traffic Safety Administration • Look out for pedestrians everywhere, at all times. • Use extra caution when driving in hard-to-see conditions, such as nighttime or bad weather. • Slow down and be prepared to stop when turning or otherwise entering a crosswalk. 26 • Yield to pedestrians in crosswalks and stop well back from the crosswalk to give other vehicles an opportunity to see the crossing pedestrians so they can stop too. • Never pass vehicles stopped at a crosswalk. There may be people crossing where you can’t see. • Never drive under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. • Follow the speed limit, especially around people on the street, in school zones and in neighborhoods where children are present. • Be extra cautious when backing up and look for pedestrians. 8 Walking Safety Tips • Follow the rules of the road and obey signs and signals. • Walk on sidewalks whenever they are available. • If there is no sidewalk, walk facing traffic and as far from traffic as possible. • Cross streets at crosswalks or intersections. Look for cars in all directions, including those turning left or right. • If a crosswalk or intersection is not available, locate a well-lit area where you have the best view of traffic. Wait for a gap in traffic that allows enough time to cross safely; continue watching for traffic as you cross. • Watch for cars entering or exiting driveways, or backing up in parking lots. • Avoid alcohol and drugs when walking; they impair your abilities and your judgment. • Embrace walking as a healthy form of transportation - get up, get out and get moving. All vehicles, including golf carts, must obey all stop signs and the 20 mph speed limit throughout Lake Ashton. A person operating a golf cart on public roads or streets who is under 18 years must possess a valid learner’s permit or driver’s license.
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