3 Pedestrian Safety Tips That Will Keep You Safe And Alert

Talking about pedestrian safety is as important as any other concern we may have about driving a vehicle.

We are all exposed to the dangers of the road, mostly pedestrians who do not necessarily come with airbags nor seat belts to reduce the impact of an accident.

Safety advocates hence recommend that you look up and check your surroundings prior to crossing the street.

Yet pedestrians are increasingly becoming more distracted due to technology dependencies and busy lifestyles.

This situation reduces both safety and alertness when walking around congested areas.

According to the Governors Highway Safety Association, approximately 5,984 pedestrians died in the U.S. in 2017.

This report suggested that both pedestrians and drivers are getting more distracted, putting everyone at risk.

As drivers are constantly reminded about the importance of driving safely and looking out for pedestrians, it is also advisable for people who are not sitting the behind the wheel to follow safety practices as well.

Below you’ll find three pedestrian safety tips that will save your life.

Refrain from walking and texting

Texting while walking down the street can be as dangerous as distracted driving.

Researchers at the Ohio State University reported that about 1,500 pedestrians received treatment for accidents associated with cellphone use.

The research also found that pedestrians using their phones were 61% more likely to veer off course, and 13% more likely to overshoot a target that observers placed on the floor few meters in front of them.

You are strongly advised to put your phone down, especially if you are planning to walk through an intersection.

Stay visible to motorists

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, most pedestrian fatalities take place in urban areas, far from intersections, and at night.

A safe way to walk at night is to wear colorful clothing, reflective gear, and use your smartphone to generate enough light to make you more visible to drivers.

Be cautious when walking in areas with no light by adding more colorful features to your outfit and focusing on your route.

Remain in safe areas

Walking on sidewalks is a safe decision yet there are some roads without sidewalks that could put you in a risky situation.

If you must walk through a road without sidewalks, do it cautiously, pay attention to your surroundings, and look out for drivers who may not notice you passing by.

You should also try to walk in designated walking lanes with good infrastructure as much as possible.

If your route follows a lane with good lightning reduced speed limits, you’ll be less vulnerable to experience an accident, especially when walking with kids.

It’s in your best interest to select a safe walking route and avoid making assumptions when seeing a driver getting closer.

Assuming that vehicles will stop just because you are walking by is a mistake that could jeopardize your own safety.

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