Crosswalk safety and winter weather Published Dec. 22, 2008 By Senior Airman Tashia Weaver 91st Missile Wing ground safety MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- Winter has quickly come upon us. Use this time to take a few moments to freshen up on crosswalk safety. All vehicle operators driving on base must adhere to Air Force Instruction 31-204. While AFI 31-204 does state pedestrians crossing at a roadway at any point other than a marked crosswalk or unmarked crosswalk at an intersection shall yield right of way to all vehicles upon the roadway, let us use some common courtesy while driving and stop to allow the pedestrians to cross while the weather is extremely cold. The 91st Missile Wing Ground Safety office has gotten many complaints of people attempting to cross the roadway and having to wait for a line of vehicles to pass. With the temperature outside in the negatives, one of those drivers in their warm vehicles could have stopped to allow the pedestrian to cross the roadway. Everyone on base at some point does have to go outside and knows just how bitter it is. Keep in mind at some point everyone is a pedestrian. Quick tips for pedestrians: · Always cross at marked crosswalks · Obey any pedestrian signals and look left-right-left · If a vehicle approaches, make eye contact with the driver Quick tips for drivers: · Yield to pedestrians in crosswalks and at intersections · Come to a complete stop if pedestrians are crossing or preparing to cross · Wait until pedestrians have crossed at least one lane passed the lane you are in before resuming travel · Never pass a vehicle that has stopped or is slowing down at a crosswalk For more information, contact 91st MW Ground Safety at 723-2293.