Pedestrian Safety
Tips for Safely Crossing the Street
Five practical habits that help NYC pedestrians stay safe at the curb — from Koenigsberg & Associates Law Offices.
June 22, 2026
Each year in New York City, around 100 pedestrians are fatally struck when crossing the street. Many of these incidents are preventable when both drivers and pedestrians maintain awareness of their surroundings and practice safe crossing techniques.
With that in mind, here are five tips to help pedestrians safely cross the street.
By the Numbers
Why street safety matters in NYC
~100
Pedestrians fatally struck while crossing NYC streets each year
1 in 20
Pedestrians fatally struck at crosswalks in 2015 were looking at their phones
5 Tips
Simple habits that can dramatically reduce your risk at the curb
1 Second
Pausing at the curb can mean the difference between safe crossing and a serious crash
Pedestrian safety is a shared responsibility — but the consequences fall hardest on people on foot. A few small habits can dramatically reduce your risk of a serious crash.
Five Tips
How to cross the street safely
Whether you're walking with a WALK signal or crossing an unmarked intersection, these five habits give you the best chance of avoiding a preventable accident.
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Left-Right-Left
It's old advice, but it's good advice. Even if you have a WALK signal, you should look left, then right, and left again before crossing the street. This will help you identify nearby vehicles before you step into the road and could prevent an accident, especially if a car is attempting to turn right against a red light.
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Establish Eye Contact
A car pulling out of a parking structure or alleyway is supposed to yield to pedestrians. When you spot a car rolling toward you at low speed, make eye contact with the driver and ensure they slow down before you step in front of their vehicle. Generally, if there are no pedestrian traffic signals, a driver should yield or at least slow down when a pedestrian makes eye contact.
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Phone Away
Always put your phone away before stepping into the street. If you're looking down at your phone, you're not looking at potential hazards around you. In 2015, 1-in-20 people fatally struck at the crosswalk were looking at their phones at the time of the crash.
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Walk, Don't Run
If there are only a few seconds left on the WALK signal, it's better to wait at the curb than to risk running across the street. It's tempting to think nearby cars can wait a few seconds since they're already stopped, but that's not always the case. If a car gets a green light as they approach the intersection, the driver may not be prepared for a pedestrian running across the street.
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Stop at the Curb
Whether you're at an unmarked intersection or you have a WALK signal, you should always pause at the curb for a second and look both ways before crossing. This will help you identify potential hazards and give you an opportunity to put your phone away or make eye contact with a driver before you step into the street. Often, stopping for a single second can mean the difference between crossing safely and a potential accident.
Watch for These
Common driver behaviors that put pedestrians at risk
Even when you do everything right, drivers can still create hazards. Knowing what to watch for helps you react faster and avoid a crash.
Right-on-red turns
Drivers turning right on red often focus on oncoming traffic and miss pedestrians crossing with the WALK signal. Always scan for turning vehicles before stepping off the curb.
Cars exiting driveways
Vehicles pulling out of parking garages, alleys, or driveways must yield — but many roll forward without stopping. Make eye contact before crossing in front of them.
Distracted drivers
Drivers looking at phones or infotainment screens may not see you, even in a marked crosswalk. Assume nothing — confirm the vehicle is stopping.
Aggressive light-runners
Drivers racing a yellow light or running a red are a leading cause of crosswalk crashes. A green WALK signal doesn't guarantee an empty intersection.
If You've Been Hit
Struck by a car? You need a team you can trust.
If you or someone you love were struck by a car, you need affordable representation from a team you can trust. If you'd like an experienced New York City car accident attorney from Koenigsberg & Associates Law Offices to evaluate your case, don't hesitate to call us.