Travel safely as Daylight Saving Time ends

November 7, 2016 -- With the end of Daylight Saving Time, the Boston Transportation Department urges people who drive, walk, and bicycle in Boston to keep each other safe by paying attention to the rules of the road and being aware of others who are also traveling on our streets. With sunnier mornings and darker evenings, you may be caught off-guard during otherwise familiar trips. Slow down and give yourself more time to react and prevent potentially serious crashes.

“As evenings get dark earlier, people who are driving, walking and bicycling need to be more aware of each other than ever,” said BTD Commissioner Gina N. Fiandaca. “Our top priority is ensuring the safety of people traveling on our streets, and we ask everyone to help us by slowing down and looking out for each other.”

Nationwide, more fatal pedestrian crashes happen in the dark (72%) than in daylight (24%).

Breakstone, White & Gluck, a local law firm that works to improve bicycle safety throughout the state, donated bike lights to help BTD enhance awareness as Daylight Saving Time ends. Throughout the week, staff and volunteers will distribute lights to bicyclists who are riding without them on streets Downtown and in Allston, Brighton, Dorchester, East Boston, Mattapan, Roxbury, and South Boston.

Age-Friendly Boston has made reflective armbands available on a first come, first serve basis at the Elderly Commission, room 271, and BTD, room 721, Boston City Hall.

If you are traveling by car:

• Obey the speed limit
• Put down your devices
• Always yield to pedestrians
• Before entering your vehicle, make sure that windows and mirrors are clear of leaves, frost, and anything else that may limit visibility
• When passing bicyclists or other vehicles, drive at a safe distance (3 or more feet)
• When turning, slow down and look out for bicyclists going straight
• When getting out of a vehicle, check over your shoulder to be sure you’re not opening your door into a bicyclist’s or driver’s path
• Do not stop or park in a bike lane, bus lane, bus stop, or travel lane
• Never drink and drive.

When you are walking:

• Before crossing, stop at the curb and look in both directions - left, right, then left again
• Avoid crossing the street from between two parked cars
• Use crosswalks and wait for the pedestrian walk indication at traffic signals.

If you are riding a bike:

• Always yield to pedestrians
• Stop at stop signs and follow all traffic signals, unless signs are posted otherwise
• Bike in the same direction of traffic, unless the street is signed otherwise
• Use a white light on the front of your bike and either a red light or red reflector on the rear, as required by law.

If you see a broken street light or a pothole, report it to BOS:311. You can file reports by calling 311, downloading the app, tweeting @BOS311, or visiting 311.boston.gov.