Pedestrian fatalities are on the rise and the Illinois State Police has some tips for staying safe if you’re stuck on the side of the road.

Sergeant Mike Link says if you were involved in a crash or are stranded, the safest place to be is usually in your car with your seat belt on. He says you should resist the urge to immediately exit the vehicle.

Link says if you feel you need to get out, make sure to do a couple safety things first.

Motorists are urged to do their part by abiding the move over law and switching lanes if there is a car alongside the road, reducing speed and letting police know about the situation.

The governor’s highway safety association says pedestrian deaths are at a 25 year high. Three out of four fatalities occur after dark.