1. Come to a Complete Stop: Before entering a public road from a private driveway or alleyway, come to a complete stop. This gives you time to assess the surrounding traffic situation, including any pedestrians on the sidewalk or crosswalk.
2. Check for Pedestrians: Before moving your vehicle forward, carefully look in all directions for pedestrians. Pay extra attention to children, elderly individuals, and anyone visually impaired or using assistive devices.
3. Yield to Pedestrians: Pedestrians always have the right-of-way. This means that if there are pedestrians on the sidewalk or in a crosswalk, you must yield to them before proceeding.
4. Signal Your Intention: Before entering the public road from a driveway, activate your turn signal to indicate your intended direction of travel. This alerts pedestrians and other road users to your presence and helps to avoid collisions.
5. Proceed Slowly: Once you're ready to proceed, advance slowly and cautiously. Keep an eye out for any pedestrians who may be stepping out into the road or crossing the sidewalk.
6. Be Prepared to Stop: Even after you've stopped and checked for pedestrians, always be prepared to stop again if necessary. This could be due to pedestrians suddenly stepping into the road, children running, or other unexpected situations.
7. Stay Alert and Defensive: When leaving a driveway or alleyway and merging into traffic, stay alert and defensive. Be aware of the flow of traffic, other vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians. Anticipate potential hazards and respond accordingly.
8. Pay Attention to Signage and Markings: Before proceeding, ensure you understand the traffic signs and markings in the area, including stop signs, yield signs, crosswalks, and speed limit signs. Follow the regulations and guidelines indicated by these signs and markings.
9. Use Your Mirrors and Blind Spot Check: Use your side mirrors and rear-view mirror to check for any vehicles or pedestrians in your blind spots before moving forward. Additionally, it's a good practice to turn your head to physically check your blind spots.
By following these guidelines and being cautious when leaving an alley or private driveway, you help prioritize pedestrian safety and reduce the risk of accidents or injuries on the road.
