Most people don’t think about pedestrian road safety until they or someone they know is involved in an accident. But following some simple rules can help keep everyone safe.
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What to do as a driver
As a driver, you are responsible for the safety of not only yourself and your passengers, but also anyone else on or near the road. This includes pedestrians.
Here are some tips to help you avoid hitting a pedestrian:
- Be especially cautious at intersections. This is where most pedestrian accidents occur, so take extra care when approaching one. Slow down and be prepared to stop if necessary. Look both ways before proceeding, even if the light is green in your direction.
- Be alert for pedestrians who may be crossing mid-block or jaywalking. They may not be paying attention to traffic and could unexpectedly step into your path. Again, slow down and be prepared to stop if necessary.
- Watch for pedestrians who may be distracted by their phones or other devices and not paying attention to their surroundings. This is becoming more and more common as people become increasingly reliant on technology. Just because someone is looking down at their phone doesn’t mean they don’t have the right of way – so use caution nonetheless.
- Use extra caution when driving in areas with high pedestrian traffic, such as near schools or playgrounds, shopping centers, or public transportation stops. These areas often have signs posted reminding drivers to use extra care due to the increased foot traffic – so heed those warnings! Slow down and keep an eye out for people crossing the street or walking along the side of the road. In residential neighborhoods , children might dart out into the street without looking first , so always drive slowly and watch for them.. Remember that pedestrians have the right of way in crosswalks – never try to speed up and beat them across!
- At night, it can be harder to see pedestrians, so take extra care when driving after dark. If possible, avoid driving in areas with high pedestrian traffic at night. If you must drive in these areas, go slowly And look carefully for people who might be crossing the street. It’s also a good idea to wear reflective clothing if you’ll be walking near busy roads at night.
What to do as a pedestrian
As a pedestrian, you are vulnerable to being hit by a vehicle. In fact, pedestrian fatalities account for about 11% of all traffic-related deaths in the United States. To stay safe while walking, it is important to follow some basic safety tips. Be aware of the causes of these fatalities and make sure you know what to do immediately after a car accident.
Wear brightly colored clothing or reflective gear so that drivers can see you. Walk on sidewalks whenever possible. If there is no sidewalk, walk facing traffic so that drivers can see you.
Avoid distractions like listening to music or looking at your phone while walking. Pay attention to your surroundings so that you can react quickly if a car starts to come too close. Be extra cautious at night or in bad weather conditions when visibility is reduced.
Use crosswalks and obey traffic signals when crossing streets. Look both ways before crossing, even if the light is green in your direction.
