Pedestrian and bicycle safety are important to the city of Federal Way. To facilitate pedestrian mobility and safety throughout the city, efforts are continually made by providing proper engineering practices, continued law enforcement and proper guidance to pedestrians.

Pedestrian safety is not a seasonal concern. However, during the months of September and October, Federal Way had three significant car versus pedestrian collisions, two fatal and one involving the critical injury of a high school student. In each of these cases, the pedestrian was within a crosswalk or crossing legally in an unmarked intersection.

Police Chief Andy Hwang said, “Inattention is the leading cause of traffic collisions for drivers and pedestrians. People are far more likely to get hurt or killed in a traffic-related incident than any other way, yet it is quite often overlooked because driving a car is something most people take for granted. We should be constantly scanning our surroundings and looking out for potential dangers whether you are driving or walking near traffic.”

The city of Federal Way is concerned for citizens’ safety, both drivers and pedestrians/bicyclists.

Officials urge residents to take the time to evaluate the risk in your family and take this opportunity to educate and plan to improve your safety.

Following are some important safety tips to avoid pedestrian versus vehicle collisions:

• Crosswalks and traffic signals do not guarantee that vehicles will stop.

• The WALK symbol only means it is the pedestrian’s turn to cross the road, not that it is safe to cross.

• Always look both right and left before starting to cross. Do not expect drivers to obey all traffic laws concerning pedestrians.

• If you have not made eye contact with a driver that possesses a potential threat to your safety, assume that driver does not see you.

• Avoid all things that distract you as a pedestrian or driver. That includes clothing that restricts your sight (hoodie), ear buds, cell phones, etc.

• Be alert and consistently watch for turning vehicles. Pay particular attention when crossing driveways (entering/exiting vehicles).

• During hours of darkness, plan ahead and have a flashlight to improve your visibility.

“Pedestrian and traffic safety is something we all need to be active participants in,” said Mayor Jim Ferrell. “It’s about watching out for our own safety as well as that of our students and neighbors so that everyone safely gets to where they’re going.”

The city operates a number of programs to improve pedestrian and traffic safety. The Neighborhood Traffic Safety Program is designed to provide existing Federal Way residential neighborhoods with opportunities to control traffic speeds, reduce cut-through traffic and improve documented pedestrian and vehicular safety issues.

This program is making a noticeable difference in many areas of the city, officials said. For example, beginning in the summer of 2013, the city began installing additional safety enhancements in all school zones to raise driver awareness of the need to drive safely when school children are present.

The upgrades include larger signs, locating speed warning signs to provide drivers with earlier warning, and variable speed limit signs to heighten driver awareness.

The city is providing safer pedestrian crossings of major roads through installation of rectangular rapid flashing beacons across the city.

Eighteen of these pedestrian crossing features have been installed over the past two years. Public Works will be installing another 18 beacon crossings in the next two years.

The Federal Way Police Department continues its commitment to traffic and pedestrian safety through a number of initiatives, such as the Nick and Derek Project, which concentrates on distracted driving, school zone safety and jaywalking emphasis/enforcement.

To learn more about the Neighborhood Traffic Safety Program or to submit your application to improve your neighborhood, visit www.cityoffederalway.com/NT.

There you will also find a detailed school zone safety brochure and pedestrian safety brochure that can be used as an education guide for family.