OGAI reminds "Driver and Pedestrian, Respect the Pedestrian Crossing!" – on October 30, the Unified Day of Road Safety takes place in the Mogilev region, aimed at preventing traffic accidents at pedestrian crossings.

In the past 9 months in the Mogilev region, 285 traffic accidents have occurred. 54 traffic accidents involving pedestrians have been registered, in which 13 people died and 44 were injured.

The main causes of traffic accidents involving this category of road participants are:

• crossing the roadway outside the designated place, absence of reflective elements while moving in dark conditions;
• driver indiscipline and failure to comply with traffic rules, regarding the crossing of unregulated pedestrian crossings and giving priority to pedestrians in movement.

A pedestrian has the right to cross the roadway first at an unregulated pedestrian crossing, as well as at a regulated one when given a signal from a traffic controller or traffic light. HOWEVER, before beginning to cross the roadway at a pedestrian crossing, the pedestrian must ensure that the exit onto the roadway is safe. It is especially dangerous to cross the roadway in dark conditions or in conditions of insufficient visibility – in such cases, one must mark oneself with reflective elements.

The driver's duty is to give priority at a pedestrian crossing to the pedestrian and to a person moving on a personal mobility device, as well as to yield to a cyclist.

When approaching a pedestrian crossing, the following is necessary:

1. reduce speed in advance;
2. show maximum attention;
3. assess the conditions of view and visibility;
4. be ready to stop to allow pedestrians starting or completing the crossing to pass.

Drivers who do not give priority to pedestrians at unregulated and regulated pedestrian crossings when there is a signal from a traffic controller or traffic light for both drivers and pedestrians are subject to administrative responsibility in the form of a fine from 1 to 5 basic units.