‘Reflect While You Walk’ program

The Caribou Police Department has announced the implementation of Caribou’s newest safety program, “Reflect While You Walk.” In an effort to reduce accidents and save pedestrian lives, the Caribou Police Department will begin a safety program educating runners, joggers and walkers on pedestrian safety. As part of this program, the department, with the assistance of the Maine Bureau of Highway Safety, will hand out reflective safety vests to any and all interested pedestrians.     In Aroostook County many people walk, jog or run for exercise or other reasons. At certain times of the year, it gets dark very early in the day and many times people are out before and after the workday, when it is dark outside. It is not unusual to see 25-30 people out walking in the evening and even more during the warm summer nights.
Several areas in the city of Caribou do not have sidewalks and pedestrians are in the roadways. During the long winter month’s pedestrians tend to walk in the roadways, as the sidewalks are icy and snow covered. Many areas are poorly lit and those pedestrians do not show up to drivers operating on the roads. It is easy for a driver to get distracted or not see someone and accidentally strike them. Caribou citizens have been struck while out walking or jogging.
As part of the program, the Caribou Police Department will give talks at local heath fairs, recreation departments and to local running groups; officers are also available for speaking engagements. The department will also be providing some safe-walking tips to local citizens.
Chief Michael Gahagan advises citizens to: avoid walking or running alone at night, instead, go walking or jogging with a friend or relative; avoid the use of short cuts; after dark, keep away from large bushes or doorways where someone could be lurking; avoid walking or running in the road, if you cannot avoid it, face traffic as you go; wear bright or reflective clothing; use safety gear, including a flashlight and a whistle; dress for the weather; if someone in a vehicle stops and asks for directions, answer from a distance — do not approach the vehicle; if followed, go immediately to an area with lights and people. If needed, turn around and walk in the opposite direction, your follower will also have to reverse directions. Do not display cash or valuables openly, especially when leaving an ATM.
Residents may pick up a reflective safety vest anytime by stopping by the Caribou Police Department or visiting the police venues at various local health fairs. Chief Gahagan stated, “We will be passing the vests out and answering questions at the 29th annual Cary Health Fair on November 15, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Please be safe and ‘Reflect While You Walk’.”