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Pedestrian and Traffic Safety

What are the laws as they relate to pedestrians?

 Do the “Yield to pedestrian” signs on campus change
the rules on who has the right of way?

 What should I do as a driver on campus to protect myself
as well as pedestrians and bicyclists?

What is the actual speed limit in the campus district?

What do I do if I am involved in or observe an accident or dangerous behavior?

What are the rights and responsibilities of bicyclists?


What are the laws as they relate to pedestrians?

The laws regarding pedestrian safety can be found in the Illinois Vehicle Code. The law is simply this: Pedestrians may NOT leave a curb or other place of safety and walk or run into the path of a moving vehicle which is so close as to constitute an immediate hazard (625ILCS 5/11-1002(b). Simply put, as a pedestrian you do NOT have the right of way in a crosswalk unless you have first established yourself in the intersection and given oncoming traffic the opportunity to slow down and react to your presence. Many persons falsely believe that anytime you step into a crosswalk you automatically have the right of way, and that is not correct. You must give a vehicle adequate distance to stop before stepping into the crosswalk and expecting the right of way.

At signalized intersections, DON’T WALK means DON’T WALK. If you are not in the crosswalk by the time the signal flashes “Don’t Walk”, then you are violating the law. The “countdown” signals which show the time remaining to get across the crosswalk safely are there to remind pedestrians already in the crosswalk how much time they have left to safely clear the intersection. Any time you enter a crosswalk when the signal is displaying “Don’t Walk”, you are violating the law and are subject to receiving a citation for violating the law.



Do the “Yield to pedestrian” signs on campus change
the rules on who has the right of way?

The “Yield to Pedestrian” signs erected in many places on campus are there to alert drivers to the high concentration of pedestrians and to remind them to drive very carefully. They do not give pedestrians any more right of way than at any other crosswalk.


What should I do as a driver on campus to protect myself
as well as pedestrians and bicyclists?

As a driver on campus, you need to be aware that if you are approaching a marked crosswalk, pedestrians DO have the right of way if they have established themselves in a marked crosswalk. The only time that is not applicable is if the “Don’t Walk” signal is illuminated. For safety purposes, the Division of Public Safety asks you please, be attentive, patient and courteous when driving in the campus district. It is an incredibly busy district and pedestrians, bicyclists, skateboarders and roller-bladers appear often without warning. A moment of patience could save you a lifetime of regret.


What is the actual speed limit in the campus district?

The speed limit in the campus district is 25 miles per hour. There are exceptions to the 25 mile per hour speed limit, but only on main thoroughfares such as First St., Kirby/Florida Avenue, Springfield Ave. and Lincoln Ave. On all other roadways and arterial streets, the speed limit is 25 miles per hour. If you are unsure, it is much wiser (and safer) to observe the 25 mph speed limit.

What do I do if I am involved in or observe an accident or dangerous behavior?

If you observe dangerous behavior or an accident requiring the authorities, call 911 from a cell phone or regular phone and 9-911 from a campus line. This connects you to METCAD, the dispatching agency for all police, fire and EMS entities in the Campus District. If you are unsure as to whether or not the incident requires emergency services, be reminded that it is better to call and it not be necessary than to not call and delay the response to what could be a very significant incident.

What are the rights and responsibilities of bicyclists?

If you are a bicyclist, please remember two very simple rules:

  1. If you are riding the bicycle on the street, you are legally obligated to obey the rules of the road THE SAME AS IF YOU ARE DRIVING A VEHICLE. This includes stopping at stop lights/signs, obeying one way street markings, signaling when turning, etc. It also means that you ride as far to the right as practicable.
  2. When you are riding on a bike path or sidewalk (where permitted legally to do so), remember that you have the same responsibilities as a pedestrian when it comes to crosswalks and crossing streets.
 

1110 W. Springfield Ave.
Urbana, Illinois 61801

 Non Emergency 217-333-1216
217/244-7209 (TTY)
Emergency 9-911 from a campus phone
911 off campus