Mission Statement
Be Safe No Matter How You Get There
We’re all busy and trying to get to places (work, school, activities. events) as quickly as possible. Many times, while we’re on the road, we’re also trying to keep up with the news of the day, stay in touch at work, or return calls to our parents, children, and other members of our families.
All these distractions lead to dangerous conditions for everyone who uses the roadways in our wonderful community.
The Slow Down In Town campaign seeks to promote greater awareness for the safety of pedestrians, children, and cyclists by encouraging everyone who uses a vehicle to drive a little slower, pay more attention while they’re behind the wheel, and respect all those who walk, run, and cycle along the roadways in our community.
- If we all work together, we can make our roads safer by being more patient while we’re driving, using our horns less, and looking out for each other so we can reduce pedestrian and cycling accidents.
Motorists: Slow down; It’s Best For Everyone
Why are so many people so careless when they drive their cars on the same narrow roads that are being used by pedestrians, children, and cyclists?
Studies show that a car moving as slow as 10 miles per hour can severely injure a cyclist or pedestrian. That fact alone should make anyone driving a vehicle be more cautious when they approach a pedestrian or a cyclist. Even the slightest contact by your vehicle could send a walker or rider to the hospital with life-threatening injuries.
The responsibility goes both ways. In today’s world of electronic devices, walkers and riders who are listening or viewing mobile devices can be distracted just as much as drivers. A walker who can’t hear an approaching vehicle because they are wearing headphones or earbuds are just as responsible for their safety as the approaching driver.
Darien’s downtown area is a unique challenge. Drivers use the Post Road as a cut through when traffic on Interstate 95 slows; ongoing redevelopment projects add large construction vehicles to the mix that can impede traffic and test the patience of daily commuters; there are high school-age drivers who are learning to maneuver in traffic in preparation for getting a license; and let’s not forget about the many pedestrians who risk their own safety by crossing the Post Road without the aid of a crosswalk.
The situation requires all users (drivers. pedestrians and cyclists) to be more aware of their surroundings and use caution.
News & Events
Darien’s third public safety campaign wrapped up last week and Town officials are pleased that residents are taking …
There are reminders all over the Town of Darien that the community’s latest traffic awareness campaign is underway …
The town’s second traffic awareness campaign got underway in June and its focus was again on getting motorists to reduce their speed…
The Town of Darien and officers from the Darien Police Department are doing their part to spread the word about Slow Down In Town…
Pedestrians: You need to walk with your guard up
Walkers and runners should not expect drivers to be looking out for their safety: they need to take responsibility for their safety as well.
Town of Darien Affiliations
Support these Darien public safety organizations in the campaign to increase awareness of pedestrians and cyclists in our community.
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Cyclists: You’re required to observe same rules as motorists
It calls for caution from cyclists and motorists.
Crosswalk: Drivers, cyclists need to respect the people in them
Once a pedestrian is in a crosswalk, they should NEVER let their guard down. Statistics show that thousands of pedestrians each year are struck in a crosswalk so it’s important to look both ways for approaching vehicles before you step onto the street. This is even more important at night.
At night, pedestrians should use a flashlight to alert approaching cars to their presence, or wear a reflective vest or bright clothing that can be noticed easily. Here’s another obvious tip: avoid looking at your electronic devices or wearing headphones and earbuds.