Pedestrian safety is a serious issue. Every year, thousands of pedestrians are injured or killed in accidents involving cars and other motor vehicles. Whether you’re walking to school, work, or just taking a stroll around the neighborhood, it’s important to be aware of your surroundings and take steps to stay safe. This guide provides practical tips on how you can reduce your risk when crossing streets and navigating intersections as a pedestrian. By following these suggestions, you can help ensure that your journeys are safe and enjoyable experiences.
Avoid Distractions When Crossing the Street
With the prevalence of technology in our everyday lives, it is more important than ever to be mindful of distractions when crossing streets. Distractions while walking across a street can lead to serious injuries or even fatalities. Pedestrian safety should always be taken seriously and paying attention should be priority number one when navigating through traffic.
To ensure your own safety, you must avoid any potential distractions that may take away from your ability to safely cross the street. This includes anything from talking on the phone, texting, listening to music, or even daydreaming while crossing a busy intersection. By avoiding these distractions and staying alert at all times, you can ensure your own personal safety as well as those around you while walking across the street.
Use Legal Crosswalks
Using legal crosswalks when walking across the street is an important safety measure that should be taken seriously. Crosswalks are designated areas where pedestrians have the right-of-way, and they provide a safe way to get from one side of the road to another. Not only do crosswalks help you stay safe, but they also help drivers by providing a clearly marked area for them to look out for pedestrians. By using legal crosswalks when crossing the street, you can significantly reduce your risk of being involved in an accident with a vehicle or other pedestrian. Additionally, obeying traffic laws and signals at all times will ensure everyone’s safety on our roads.
Make Eye Contact with Drivers Approaching the Intersection
Making eye contact with drivers approaching an intersection is a key safety tip for pedestrians. By making eye contact, you can ensure that the driver sees you and will be more likely to stop or slow down as they approach the intersection. Additionally, making eye contact communicates your intent to cross the street and alerts drivers of your presence so they can take necessary precautions to avoid any potential collisions. Not only does this help protect yourself but also other pedestrians in the area who may not be aware of their surroundings. Making sure that drivers see you before crossing an intersection is essential for staying safe when walking across busy streets.
If you’re hurt in a negligence-related pedestrian accident, call our firm at 503-594-4944.