Crosswalks, common sense and courtesy Published Sept. 14, 2010 By Staff Sgt. Michelle Humann 5th Bomb Wing Ground Safety MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- A recent incident here at Minot AFB indicated there is still some confusion about crosswalks. Often on a military base, common courtesy has been mixed up with commons sense or the law. Many people driving on base will stop when they see a pedestrian who wants to cross the road, regardless of whether they are at a crosswalk or not. This is a very good behavior but it has led some to a false sense of security. So what are the facts? Crosswalks are designated pedestrian crossing areas on roads and highways. They tell motorists where they might expect pedestrians and tell pedestrians the safest place to cross a street. But a crosswalk will not tell either the motorist or the pedestrian who has the right of way. We have to figure that one out for ourselves. So please remember these simple rules: Rule Number One: Pedestrians in a crosswalk or entering a crosswalk always have the right of way. Period. End of discussion. Rule Number Two: Drivers will ALWAYS yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk or elsewhere if the pedestrian is in the street. Now almost everyone knows these rules. What most people do not know are the next two rules that apply to pedestrians. Rule Number Three: Pedestrians MUST YEILD to vehicles when crossing the street at other than marked crosswalks or at intersections. Rule Number Four: It is unlawful for pedestrians to step into the street in front of a moving vehicle that is so close as to constitute an imminent danger. (The driver may be distracted or inattentive and not see the pedestrian.) Those are the written rules and all are based on common sense. But there are other commons sense rules that are not written down. Rule Number Five: Pedestrians are not in the road when on a sidewalk. Therefore drivers are not required to stop in anticipation that a pedestrian will enter the street. Pedestrians remember this; just because you are standing on the curb by a crosswalk does not mean traffic must stop for you. Rule Number Six: When driving and approaching an intersection or marked crosswalk the driver should be alert for all pedestrian movement and be prepared to yield. Rule Number Seven: Pedestrians should establish eye contact with drivers and ensure the vehicle is stopped or at least visibly slowing down before entering the street. Courtesy is a trait that comes naturally to most military people and it is one thing that non-military civilians tend to notice most. When one sees a pedestrian trying to cross the street, the polite thing is to stop if that can be done safely. The danger here is that pedestrians assume that every vehicle will stop for them because they are used to courteous military drivers. This could lead to disaster. No one will argue that a pedestrian in a crosswalk has the legal right of way, but if they step in front of a moving vehicle they may also end up legally dead. So common courtesy is a very good thing but only when partnered with common sense.