NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — Halfway through Pedestrian Safety Awareness month, the Norfolk Police Department is reminding both drivers and pedestrians to always be alert and cautious when using the roadways.
Last month, 10 On Your Side reported three incidents in the city of Norfolk in which a pedestrian was struck by a vehicle, and another that took place in Virginia Beach not far from the Norfolk city line. One on East Virginia Beach Boulevard was fatal — at 11 a.m. Sept. 25, a car struck and killed a 78-year-old woman.
NPD: Woman dies following auto-pedestrian crash on Virginia Beach Blvd
A day earlier on East Berkley Avenue and South Main Street at 8:15 a.m., a child was struck by a vehicle and taken to the hospital to treat a leg injury.
Child hurt following auto-pedestrian crash in Norfolk
Seven days earlier, on Colley Avenue at the corner of 47th Street a Norfolk city worker remained on the scene after hitting an elderly woman around 9:45 a.m., causing serious injuries.
Elderly woman hit on Colley Ave. has serious injuries, police say
And just before 9 p.m. Sept. 11, at the corner of Northampton Boulevard and Wesleyan Drive, a woman suffered serious injuries after being struck by a vehicle.
VBPD: Pedestrian critically injured in crash on Northampton Blvd.
On East Virginia Beach Boulevard, walkers are asking for drivers to slow down.
The Norfolk Police Department also has some advice to help keep everybody safe. For pedestrians, it includes:
- Using sidewalks when available and walk facing traffic
- Cross streets at designated crosswalks or intersections in a well-lit area
- Stay alert and aware of your surroundings and stay off your cell phone and avoid using headphones
- Try to make eye contact with oncoming drivers before crossing
And for drivers, Norfolk Police recommends they:
- Slow down and look out for pedestrians everywhere
- Exercise extra caution at night or during bad weather
- Yield to pedestrians in crosswalks and stop well back from the crosswalk
- Never pass vehicles in a crosswalk, as there may be people crossing where you can’t see
Two weeks away from Halloween, when children will be trick-or-treating, Norfolk Police asks people to be extra vigilant…