About being a pedestrian in a residential street or estate
Statistics show that the frequency and severity of collisions that happen on residential streets is lower than that for the major roads. Most collisions in residential areas tend to occur at relatively slow speeds so drivers and passengers can be unharmed. However, slow speed collisions can still prove serious when they involve more vulnerable pedestrians such as children and the elderly.
Pedestrians can help keep these collisions to a minimum by following the advice provided below.
Follow the Highway Code
The Department for Transport's Highway Code contains important information for all road users. It includes rules for pedestrians and valuable advice.
You will find links below to the Highway Code and the Highway Code rules for pedestrians. For iPhone or iPad users an official Highway Code app is available.
Road safety education for children and young people
One of the golden rules that all parents should teach their children is that it is not safe to play in the road even in quieter residential areas. There are lots of other ways that children
Bury Council's Road Safety Service delivers a comprehensive road safety education programme to pre-school children and parents, youth groups and schools throughout the borough. The education programme equips children and young people with the knowledge and skills to help reduce their road safety risk.
Getting to and from school
Most schools are located within residential areas but the type of routes children use will differ. Parents should identify and encourage their children to use the safest route to and from their school and the safest places to cross.
Avoid:
- roads with a lot of traffic;
- crossing the road between parked vehicles.
Look out for:
- parked cars setting off from the roadside or backing out of driveways;
Cross roads:
- at the safest places to cross with a clear view all round, away from parked cars, junctions, bends or the brow of a hill if possible;
- with a school crossing patrol if where there is one;
- using available crossing points such as pelican, puffins and zebras.
Also children should avoid distractions whilst walking such as listening to a personal stereo system or using a mobile phone. These can cut them off from their surroundings and slow down their ability to react to situations.
More advice for pedestrians
Parents of children up to age 11 are recommended to visit the Department for Transport's 'Think! Education' web page.
Advice for young adults
Youngster people aged 11 to 16 are recommended to visit the Department for Transport's "Think! Education" webpage.