West Hartford's Safety Push Urges Yielding To Pedestrians, Safe Bicycling

Town of West Hartford

WEST HARTFORD, CT — West Hartford's major push for pedestrian and motorist safety continues, with the town urging motorists to yield and bicyclists to ride safely.

The town is fully embarked on its "Vision Zero" plan, which aims to eliminate fatal/serious injury incidents on West Hartford roadways.

Yield

Recently, the town reminded folks about why motorists should always yield to pedestrians.

"Yielding for pedestrians is not just the right thing to do—it’s the law," wrote the town.

For example, it said, if there’s a traffic light and a walk signal, both drivers and pedestrians need to follow it.

For all other crosswalks, marked or not, pedestrians always have the right of way if they’re in or about to step into the crosswalk, or even just waving to cross.

Ride Safely

Meanwhile, the town urged that bike safety is also an important part of Vision Zero, saying it "helps keep our roads and communities safe."

West Hartford even offered some bicycle safety tips:

• Follow the rules of the road as though you were a car.

• Obey stop signs and traffic signals.

• Always ride on the right in the direction of traffic.

• Yield to pedestrians in or at crosswalks.

• Avoid riding on sidewalks.

• Wear a helmet correctly on every ride to help prevent head injury.

For more information on Vision Zero, go to Vision Zero - Town of West Hartford.

From June 29: 'Key Pedestrian Safety Project Completed In West Hartford'

From June 26: 'West Hartford Safety Initiative Targets Crosswalks'

From June 16: 'Life-Saving Swag Available At West Hartford Town Hall, Libraries'

From March 12: 'West Hartford Seeks Folks To Pledge To Drive Safely'

From March 3, 2024: 'WeHa Council Seeks 'Cultural' Change On Traffic Safety'

From Dec. 7, 2023: 'One Year After Tragedies, West Hartford Pledges Safer Roads'