New Berlin Police News
The mission of the New Berlin Police Department is to protect the lives and property of the people we serve and prevent crime through partnership with the community. Visit our web site for more information.
Bike and Pedestrian Safety Reminder
After several concerned drivers have been reporting near-misses with bikes and walkers during hours of darkness, it’s a good time for a refresher on laws that pertain to bike riders and pedestrians before the unthinkable happens. For bike riders, state law requires a white light on the front of the bike visible from at least 500 feet and a red reflector on the back of the bike when it is dark out. These are absolute minimums. The police department asks bikers to wear as much bright, reflective clothing as possible. We also recommend a red LIGHT on the back of the bike and not just the reflector. We also recommend as many lights as possible affixed to the helmet or clothing to make the biker as visible as possible to motorists. Bikers should ride as close to the right edge of the roadway as is safely possible.
Walkers and runners must by law walk on the left side of the road AGAINST traffic. This is so that pedestrians can see what’s coming at them and can move off the road quickly if need be. If you are walking with traffic, you have no idea how close the vehicle behind you is until it’s too late. Like their two-wheeled counterparts, we recommend that pedestrians wear as much bright, reflective clothing as possible. It is also a great idea to not only carry a flashlight but to wear lights on your sleeves, hats, or any other area that will make you more visible. If you are walking a dog, make sure they are as visible as possible too. Stay safe!
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