2.12 SEASONAL DECORATING

• Homeowners may install seasonal decorative lighting no earlier than 30 days before the holiday and must remove it within 7 calendar days of the holiday.
• Winter holiday lights and decorations may be up between 01 NOV and 01 FEB, and they may only be lighted between 15 NOV and 15 JAN from sunset to 10 p.m.
• Homeowners may not install any seasonal lighting or décor on any PCVA common area (walls, fences, trees, bushes, grasses, or open areas).  

Next time you are walking somewhere, especially at night, keep the following advice in mind. 

1. Be Visible. Obviously you can’t always wear bright colors. Instead, consider keeping something bright or reflective on hand. This could be a reflective vest, an LED wristband, a flashlight, or headlamp. Most pedestrian accidents happen at night, which starts early in the winter.

2. Always use the sidewalk. If you don’t have access to a sidewalk, the next best thing is to walk on the shoulder of the road, facing traffic. This will allow cars to see you and you to see cars.

3. Only cross at crosswalks, when possible. It can be tempting to run across the street quickly after looking both ways. Maybe the crosswalk is too far away, or you decide to risk it since you see no cars coming. However, cars are much more likely to stop when they see an upcoming crosswalk, and may not be prepared to stop for an unexpected pedestrian. Using designated crosswalks will greatly increase your safety. Most pedestrian accidents happen at a non-crosswalk area.

4. Avoid headphones. Not being able to hear cars and other things in your environment can increase your danger. You won’t be able to hear if something is approaching, such as a car that went off the road. If you are intoxicated, this is even more important, since the combination of headphones and intoxication can throw you off balance and disturb your coordination.

5. Never assume cars will follow traffic laws. It may be natural to assume that cars will follow traffic and safety laws, but that’s not the case. There are plenty of scenarios where a car will run a stop sign or turn right while pedestrians are crossing the street. The best thing for pedestrians to do is to keep an eye on surrounding cars and watch what they’re doing. If you haven’t followed tip number one about being visible, it’s even more likely that a car may not see you. It’s your duty as a pedestrian to stay vigilant and protect yourself.

Please keep an eye on the goings-on in your area, keep your porch, yard, and driveway lights on during the hours of darkness, and if needed, call the police at 719-444-7000 or report a crime online at https://cspd.coloradosprings.gov/content/report-crime-online.

You can also see what  police/fire activity is reported in your area by visiting the Colorado Springs Police Department Calls for Service update at http://myneighborhoodupdate.net/

Understanding the pedestrian safety measures you can take is essential, whether you’re enjoying the nightlife or just going for a stroll. These extra safety precautions ensure you stay visible and avoid accidents while walking at night.

• Always Assume Drivers Can’t See You: Never assume drivers see you as you walk, especially because they may be distracted or impaired. They may be texting or eating while driving and may not notice you until it’s too late to stop safely. Instead, wait a couple of seconds before walking on the street, even when the traffic walk signal is on. Check both directions for approaching cars before crossing the street. Attempt to make eye contact with the drivers and wave or nod at them to ensure they see you.
• Wear Brightly Colored Clothing: Make yourself visible by wearing brightly colored clothes and accessories. Orange, yellow, and green can help you stand out from the buildings, parked cars, and dimly lit areas. Black and other dark colored clothing may make you blend into the background.
• Use Reflective Vests and Accessories: Reflective materials react to other types of light, such as car headlights. Wearing a reflective vest or jacket over your shirt helps drivers spot you from all directions. A reflective armband, wristband, or belt can improve your visibility to drivers by illuminating your body outline at night. Headlamps, flashlights, and strobes can also help drivers see you better at night while also illuminating the path in front of you.
• Only Cross at Crosswalks: Crossing only at designated crosswalks is the safest way to cross an intersection without getting hit by a vehicle. South Carolina requires drivers to give pedestrians right-of-way when on a crosswalk. If there’s no pedestrian crossing available, use caution as you cross the street. Ensure you watch out for oncoming vehicles, as pedestrians must yield right-of-way to them under South Carolina law when outside a crosswalk.
• Walk Facing Oncoming Traffic: Walk in the direction where you can see approaching vehicles, rather than walking with traffic, which puts your back to oncoming cars. Drivers can see you when you are in their line of sight, so they know where you are on the road. Walking in this direction also lets you see oncoming cars before they get close enough to hit you, so you can better stay out of danger and move to the side, if needed. On one-way roads, walk on whichever side has the broadest shoulder facing traffic.
• Stay Alert: The NHTSA recommends paying attention to your surroundings when walking. If you are using your cellphone while walking, you may not hear a car horn or see the traffic signal not to cross a crosswalk. Instead, wait to send a text until you are in a safe area away from the roads, so you can focus on nearby cars and traffic lights with distraction.

Colorado law states (House Bill 19-265)  that drivers should not crowd snowplows, and there are several rules to follow:

• Don’t pass:  It’s illegal to pass a snowplow that’s operating in a tandem formation, which is when multiple plows are arranged diagonally to cover all lanes.
• Stay back:  Drivers should maintain at least 3-4 car lengths of space behind snowplows.
• Don’t tailgate:   Tailgating is dangerous because plows need to drop sand and deicer, which could hit your car if you’re too close.
• Don’t pass on the right:  Plows push snow, slush, rocks and other debris to the right, which could damage your car and obstruct visibility.
• Be visible:  Ensure the snowplow driver can see you at all times.
• Allow time to stop:  Give the snowplow driver time to slow down or stop.
• Avoid obstructing visibility:  Don’t create a cloud of snow or release material that could obstruct visibility.

The penalty for passing a snowplow in a tandem formation includes a fine of $15-$100, a surcharge, and possible points added to your driver’s license.