Spring is a great time to go outdoors. The sound of birds chirping, the warm rays of sunshine, and the mild temperatures make it ideal to walk, ride a bike, skate, or find another active form of transportation instead of driving. In order to help share the road safely with automobiles, keep the following tips in mind:
•Stop at the corner and look both ways before stepping onto the street.
•Use marked crosswalks and make eye-contact with drivers that are stopped at an intersection to ensure that they are aware of your presence.
•Continue to watch for traffic as you cross the street and watch for cars making turns across your path.
•Don’t walk behind a car that is backing up as they may not see you.
•Be especially cautious when approaching a driveway or parking lot entrance/exit.
•If you are riding a bicycle in a designated bicycle lane keep in mind that automobiles may use this lane to make a right turn.

If you are a driver, be mindful of people outdoors and respectful of their presence:
•Be extra alert around schools and in areas where a lot of children are present as they can be very unpredictable.
•Before making a left or right turn at an intersection, ensure the crosswalk is clear.
•If cars are stopped in the street don’t just pass, they may be yielding to a pedestrian.
•When entering or exiting parking lots, look both ways before proceeding, even in one-way traffic—a pedestrian could be approaching from your right side on the sidewalk.
•If you need to cross over a bike lane to make a right turn, be sure that it is clear of cyclists and remember that they have the right of way.
Check out http://www.accessclarkcounty.com/depts/public_works/Pages/traffic_info.aspx for access to PDF’s of flyers addressing a variety of traffic issues.