Lakewood is a fantastic place to live, but traffic can be busy, especially during the summer tourist season. If you enjoy heading to Lakewood Park for morning Tai Chi or want to head downtown for a festival in town, you’re one of many who will be enjoying the sights and sounds of the city.
It’s necessary for you to be cautious if you plan to walk the city during the summer, because with people who aren’t familiar with the area, you’re more likely to get hit. Drivers who aren’t familiar with traffic patterns or neighborhood layouts could make mistakes that end up seriously hurting others.
Walking safely in Lakewood
Lakewood and the surrounding communities do take pedestrian safety seriously. In 2016, the city added the pedestrian hybrid beacon at the intersection between Manor Park and Detroit avenues. This is one technological adjustment that now stops traffic when pedestrians are present, so that they can cross more safely.
If you’re not near this intersection but need to cross at another, remember that you should always wait for a WALK signal before crossing. If no crossing signals are present, consider walking further to an intersection that has traffic signals, or be cautious to look both ways before crossing.
Another project started in May 2021, which is focused on improving pedestrian safety at Detroit Avenue. There, an extension of an eight-foot-wide trail will add more space for people to walk the Metroparks without having to worry about traffic. Changes in traffic patterns will also happen with the goal of making this area safer for people who enjoy spending time outdoors.
What can you do to be safer on your walk?
As you head out, remember that you can stay safer by:
- Making yourself visible with bright or light colors
- Walking in a group or with a companion
- Wait to cross until you get to a crosswalk
- Avoiding walking during dawn and dusk, when it’s harder for drivers to see
Pedestrian and car accidents will still happen, but with good precautions, you can greatly reduce the risk of being involved in one. If you are, then you should look into your legal options, so that you can take care of yourself.
