Student Pedestrian Safety at Rutgers

April 17, 2025

Dear Scarlet Knights,

As the weather warms up and the days grow longer, more students are out enjoying the campus, traveling between locations, or visiting local businesses and friends. Whether walking to class, biking to a meeting, rushing to catch a bus, or driving around town, it’s important to stay alert and prioritize both your safety and the safety of others. To help keep everyone safe, the Rutgers University Police Department (RUPD) will actively engage the community through Street Smart, a traffic and pedestrian safety awareness campaign.

For pedestrians:

• Avoid distractions—don’t text or wear headphones while crossing.
• Use crosswalks and follow WALK/DON’T WALK signals.
• Stay visible—wear bright clothing and carry a flashlight at night.
• Look both ways before beginning to cross the street.
• Make eye contact with drivers before stepping into the street.

For drivers:

• Avoid distractions like texting or using your phone.
• Slow down and watch for pedestrians, especially at crosswalks.
• Yield when turning and never block a crosswalk.
• Be extra cautious at night and in busy areas.

Rutgers is proud to be a vibrant campus community—but safety is a shared responsibility. Let’s all do our part to look out for one another and help prevent accidents before they happen.

Stay alert, stay safe, and enjoy the rest of the semester!

Dr. Salvador B. Mena
Senior Vice Chancellor for the Student Experience
Rutgers University–New Brunswick

Ken Cop
Vice President of Public Safety and Chief of University Police
Rutgers University