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Fall (back) Safety Tips!

Yaaaay, one more hour of sleep!

Daylight Saving ends this weekend (Sunday at 2 AM, to be precise). And while we gain an extra hour of sleep,? we pay for it with fewer hours of daylight.? On Monday, November 6, the sun will set at 4:43 PM and for some of you, it’ll be dark when you start your day and dark when you leave.

So how bout’ that rain? IT’S COMING.

Wait, wrong image…here we go.

Darkness + precipitation = not a great combo for safety. We typically see increases in collisions involving pedestrians this time of year. Here are a few safety tips for getting around as fall gets into full swing:

 

✔ See and be seen.

Please look out for each other, no matter how we’re getting around. If you’re bicycling or walking and need a light, let us know! We have lights you can attach to your bike, bag, wheelchair, stroller, or whatever you’d like. If you’re driving, pay close attention and keep an eye out for people crossing the street (remember, every intersection is a legal crossing, and it’s no fun to be waiting in the rain to cross).

 

✔ Pay attention.

Put down your phone. You’ve probably heard, it’s against the law to drive with a handheld phone, or text while driving. Even if you’re stopped at a light. It’s a good idea to put your phone down while you cross the street too. Take a moment to make sure it’s safe to cross and make eye contact with drivers. This goes back to that see and be seen thing we were talking about.

 

✔ Slow down.

Speed is a critical factor for crashes. Follow posted speed limits. When visibility is lower (ahem, darkness and rain), it’s especially important to give yourself space and time to get where you’re going. Don’t rush it. These daily actions can really add up and help Seattle reach our Vision Zero goal of ending traffic deaths and serious injuries on city streets by 2030.

One more tip! Please make sure you do your part and sweep up leaves off the sidewalk (as wet leaves can be slippery) and away from storm drains to prevent flooding. Did you know? During the month of November, you can set out up to 10 extra bags of leaves for pick up at no extra charge on your garbage collection day.

Thanks for keeping our streets safe!