Summer is in full swing and the Minnesota Department of Transportation would like to remind motorists to be aware of people walking and biking on the roads. Expect to see people everywhere, especially at trail crossings and crosswalks on highways. Be mindful of your behavior, respect all roadways users and drive with care.

Traffic on Highway 61 on the North Shore has been increasing as the summer has progressed. Drivers should be especially aware in areas where pedestrians or bicyclists are crossing the highway such as in towns, near state parks and at Gitchi-Gami Trail crossings.

Stay safe this summer with the following tips:  

• When driving, stop for people crossing at marked crosswalks and at all intersections without crosswalks or stop lights 
• Yield the right of way to pedestrians. It isn’t just courteous, it’s the law 
• Slow down and adhere to the speed limit or slower depending on conditions 
• Be alert, especially in residential areas and at intersections 
• For people walking and biking, never assume a driver sees you or will stop 

For more information on projects in northeast Minnesota, follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/groups/MnDOTnortheast and Twitter at @mndotnortheast. For real-time traffic and travel information in Minnesota, visit 511mn.org.