Many people naturally assume that they aren’t in too much danger when walking along the sidewalk or crossing a street after looking both ways to check that the coast is clear, but being a pedestrian isn’t always as safe as it seems. Statistics show that thousands of pedestrians are killed in accidents every year, and there are various possible causes for this.
In many cases, incidents are caused by the reckless or negligent behaviors of car and other vehicle drivers, but there are other times in which pedestrians make bad choices or inadvertently put themselves in danger by choosing to cross streets at the wrong places, failing to look both ways, or letting themselves get distracted. Here are some top tips to help you avoid a pedestrian accident.
Always Use Crosswalks
Obviously, one of the first tips for any pedestrian is to always make use of designated crosswalks and other crossings whenever you can. These crossings exist for a reason; they’re designed to reduce the risk of pedestrian accidents and offer safe spaces for pedestrians to get across the street, while also giving drivers signs and markings that tell them to slow down and be more careful.
These are, without a doubt, the safest places to cross over, and a lot of pedestrian accidents can happen when people ignore crosswalks and try to cross the street in other areas. Of course, it’s not always possible to find a crosswalk in the immediate vicinity, but if you walk a little further along the street, you can usually find a safe place to get across.
Be Cautious and Alert
It doesn’t matter whether you’re crossing at a crosswalk, trying to get to the other side of the street in an area without any crosswalks, or simply walking along the sidewalk, you should always try to remain alert, attentive, and cautious, as a lot of accidents can be avoided if people are observant of their surroundings and ready to take evasive action.
Sometimes, pedestrians can be injured and involved in accidents without doing a single thing wrong, as reckless, distracted, or under-the-influence drivers make poor decisions and veer off course. By being observant of your surroundings and watching out for any dangerous situations, you can give yourself a big advantage.
Watch Out for Warning Signs
Following on from the previous point, it’s also important for pedestrians to watch out for any warning signs which could indicate that an accident is more likely to occur. In many cases, you can actually spot bad drivers simply by the way their vehicles move on the road, as those who are distracted or under the influence of drugs or alcohol might swerve from side to side or stop more harshly at lights and intersections.
Keep an eye on the vehicles around you as you attempt to cross the street. If you notice that any of them are behaving strangely, be extra careful and wait a little longer just to make sure they’ve come to a complete stop before stepping out, as some drunk or reckless drivers might simply ignore traffic lights or stop signs and keep on driving.
Avoid Distractions
We all know how important it is for drivers to avoid distractions, as little gadgets like phones and car radios can lead to all kinds of accidents every single year. Indeed, statistics show that thousands of deaths per year are linked to distracted driving, but distracted pedestrians can also cause accidents too.
If you’re too busy looking at your phone before crossing the road, for example, you might not notice a reckless driver speeding along the street towards you, or if you’re distracted by something else, you might not be able to keep a close eye on your children to check that the coast is clear before crossing to the other side.
Be Extra Careful at Night
Reports and studies show that pedestrians are more likely to be involved in accidents at night, or in dimly-lit conditions caused by clouds, storms, rain, or fog, and it’s easy to understand why. If drivers aren’t able to see you as well, they might not be able to slow down, stop, or get out of the way in a time when you try to cross the street.
For this reason, it’s important to be extra careful whenever conditions get a little darker. You’ll need to look both ways a few more times before crossing the street and trust your instincts to avoid any dangerous situations. It may even be wise to invest in high-visibility clothing and accessories if you routinely walk after dark.
Final Word
It’s important for all pedestrians to be aware of the risks and dangers they can face when crossing streets and walking along sidewalks. Hopefully, these tips will help you stay safe.
