These strategies have been suggested by blind travelers and orientation and mobility specialists -- thank you for all the ideas!
Notice that strategies to reduce one risk may increase other risks -- for example to reduce one risk you may want to cross clockwise whereas to reduce another risk you will cross counterclockwise.
You may need to prioritize the risks, and reduce the most important risks even if it means increasing others. At signals:
See the Risks section of the "Self-Study Guide: Crossing at Modern Traffic Signals."
At uncontrolled crossings where you cannot see / hear with enough warning to know for certain that it's clear to cross
(that is, you hope no one is coming and if they do, you are relying on them to stop for you):
Be sure there is a good line of sight between you and the drivers.
Be as visible as possible (bright clothing, make cane or dog harness visible, wear reflective material on ankles and arms at night, etc.).
NOTE: Research indicates that wearing an orange vest during the day does not increase drivers' yeilding.
Cross at times when there is less traffic (and therefore less likelihood that an undetected vehicle will come just as you start to cross).
Work with jurisdiction to get crossing well marked, good lighting at crosswalk, and pedestrian laws and white cane laws publicized and enforced (be sure you know the pedestrian and white cane laws in your state or province!).
Make the public aware that people are crossing there regularly.
Click here for information about increasing the likelihood that drivers will yield.
At stop-sign controlled crossings:
Cross when there is no traffic at the intersection -- for example, for consumers who rely on hearing, when there are no masking sounds and no vehicles heard
(careful - it is not always possible to hear vehicles idling or slowly approaching the intersection); OR
Cross when a car in the nearest parallel lane is approaching too fast to turn
(careful - this takes skill to do correctly or you are actually increasing your risk! For example if you start to cross when the car has already entered the intersection, a left-turning car may dart behind that car, crossing your path without being able to see you because the first car blocks his view of you).
NOTE: If, after reducing the risks as much as possible, the crossing is still too risky, alternatives should be considered.