Yield to Pedestrians-Slow Down, Look Around Initiative

CAT recognizes the Lehigh Valley’s critical public health need to protect the lives of pedestrians and improve the quality of life for residents & visitors.

This campaign informs a shift in public awareness for motor vehicle drivers above all to drive with care and to “slow down and look around” for pedestrians in crosswalks, and to yield to them. This campaign is the psychological compliment to ongoing streetscape improvements.

CAT offers a menu of tools to make this public outreach campaign effective.

Every single trip, day or night, year-round, it is the responsibility of the one behind the wheel to be driving at a speed reasonable for conditions, which means they must be able to detect, recognize, and respond to a pedestrian in a crosswalk without causing bodily harm.

We take safety seriously. We all want positive outcomes that can bring added social vibrancy to strengthen the fabric of community in our Lehigh Valley. Let’s do this together!

CAT offers the following key pieces to support a culture shift towards zero pedestrian deaths and serious injury. These tools may be used individually or in combination with each other or with other municipal initiatives.

1. Public Survey
2. Street Banners
3. Magnets for Vehicle/Refrigerator
4. Brochures & Handouts
5. Photo Board

Menu items are described in detail below

Pedestrian Survey

1. This survey offers a way to understand public perception of Yield to Pedestrian traffic laws and expectations of drivers and pedestrians.

Street Banners

1. CAT has five (5) large-size street banners (3’ x 20’) that can be hung across a main thoroughfare, or at ground level along a fence/wall.
2. Street banners offer a colorful, visual reminder to motor vehicle drivers to “Slow Down, Look Around” for pedestrians in crosswalks.
3. Street banners establish a presence that Allentown looks out for pedestrians.

Magnets for Vehicles/Refrigerators

1. Magnets offer a tangible, take-home reminder to the public with a friendly-but-firm message that drivers have the burden of shared responsibility as they are the ones piloting 3,000-5,000 pounds of steel in proximity to adults, children, and animals.
2. Magnets are great to hand out at public events. Think of the conversations that parents can have with their children about pedestrian awareness and safety.
3. Magnets are great for city vehicles, i.e. city fleet vehicles, public works trucks, police cars, offering a professional tone that on the city government level, pedestrian safety is taken seriously. Placed on the rear-deck lid or bumper, they offer a daily reminder to the driver in the city vehicle and to anyone behind them at a red light.

Brochures & Handouts

1. Comprehensive and compelling with statistics and persuasion to shift driving culture towards care!
2. One-page poster style or Tri-fold brochure describe the campaign and the goal!

Photo Board

1. Great for community events. Fun and silly way to crack the shell of apathy and engage all ages with positive messaging.