Bulls, Look Both Ways: A Campus Safety Guide

An average of 300 pedestrians are fatally injured each year from crashes in New York State, according to the Department of Motor Vehicles. Pedestrians can take several precautions to be aware of their surroundings:

• Before crossing, look to your left, right and over your shoulder for turning vehicles.
• Do not wear headphones or earbuds while crossing.
• Do not use your phone while crossing.
• Wear reflective or light-colored clothing to remain visible in the dark and bad weather.
• If there are no sidewalks, walk facing traffic so you can see the vehicles and drivers can see you.
• If there are no crosswalks, cross only in well-lit areas at night.
• Watch out for vehicles backing out or pulling out of parking spaces.
• Check for signs, signals and the movements of drivers, cyclists and fellow pedestrians around you.
• Do not walk while impaired. Plan for a safe ride home.
• Make eye contact with the driver while crossing. Do not assume the vehicle will stop.

The number of bicyclists fatally injured in the United States reached a record high of 1,166 in 2024. It is crucial for bicyclists to obey all traffic lights and signage, just as drivers do.

• Ride with traffic, not against it.
• Do not ride on sidewalks.
• Look to your left, right and turn your head behind you before making turns.
• Always wear a helmet.
• Do not use your phone or headphones while riding.
• Do not ride while impaired.
• Yield to pedestrians.
• Wear reflective or light-colored clothing to remain visible.
• Use hand signals when turning or changing lanes.
• Use lights at night.
• Ride in a straight line and avoid swerving.

In 2024, there were a total of 14,878 crashes involving pedestrians in New York State. Out of those crashes, 289 had fatal outcomes and 14,320 resulted in an injury. Drive safely not only for yourself, but for those around you.

• Yield to pedestrians in crosswalks and at intersections. It's the law.
• Do not block crosswalks while stopping at intersections.
• Slow down and follow posted speed limits.
• Always look for pedestrians, especially before turning.
• Do not text and drive.
• Be extra cautious while backing up and look for pedestrians.
• Do not drive while impaired.
• Never pass vehicles stopped at a crosswalk. There may be people crossing where you can't see.
• Be extra cautious at nighttime or in bad weather since pedestrians are harder to see.

These are just a few of the many precautions you can take to help make roads safe at the University at Buffalo and beyond.

We encourage you to help spread awareness by sharing this with your fellow Bulls and colleagues.

Remember, Bulls: look both ways!

• National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
• New York Biking Coalition
• New York State Department of Motor Vehicles
• New York State Department of Transportation
• The League of American Bicyclists