Since the automobile became a mass-market phenomenon, enormous progress has been made in vehicle safety. From car design to computerized sensors, the modern motor vehicle has numerous systems in place that reduce the risk of injury or death for its occupants. Yet, the focus on vehicle safety has left a different type of road user in danger—pedestrians.
The improvements in the management of pedestrian safety have not kept up with the improvements made in automobile safety over the years. The design of pedestrian paths and highway barriers have remained largely unchanged over time, so it’s little wonder that in Georgia and the rest of America, pedestrian deaths are on the rise, even though the overall number of traffic-related deaths is decreasing.
Your safety as a pedestrian can be greatly improved with the actions and precautions you take for yourself. Here are some tips on pedestrian safety.
1. Walk Facing Oncoming Traffic
Ideally, pedestrians should always walk on the sidewalk, but not every roadway has them. In those cases, pedestrians are limited to walking alongside a road, whether on the gravel or boulevard. In those cases, it helps to walk toward oncoming traffic. That way, you’ll see the vehicles as they come toward you and have the opportunity to get out of the way, in the event a car is coming towards you.
2. Use Caution at Pedestrian Crossings
When you arrive at an intersection with stoplights controlling the movement of traffic, you should always wait until the pedestrian crossing light is on before stepping on the road. That’s irrespective of whether there are any cars in the vicinity, as cars can easily appear from around a corner quickly before you have finished crossing the road.
Stoplights only provide instructions on what drivers and pedestrians should do. There’s no guarantee that all drivers will take heed or notice, even if the pedestrian crossing light is on. So always look both ways before you cross, and make eye contact with drivers to ensure they are seeing you.
3. Walk in Single File
If you are in the company of at least one other person and are not safely on a sidewalk, always walk in a single file. This gives vehicles as much passing clearance as possible and avoids dangerous situations where the vehicle may strike the person walking nearest the road.
This is particularly important on narrow, winding roads where drivers may have just a split second to avoid striking you. It’s easier to keep a conversation when walking side-by-side, but it’s certainly not safe.
4. Keep an Eye on Cyclists and Runners
Cars are not the only hazard for pedestrians on the road. Fellow non-motorized users, such as cyclists and runners, could also cause an accident to pedestrians. If the impact itself doesn’t cause a major injury, there is the risk of being knocked over onto the road, where you could potentially be struck by oncoming traffic.
Both cyclists and runners are expected to signal their approach by yelling “passing right (or left)!”. But many will not alert you, so if you see someone from afar, move to the side to signal to them a wide passing area.
5. Stay Visible
If you know you will be walking next to a road, wear bright colors. This keeps you conspicuous and highly visible, and helps alert drivers of your presence. If you are walking at night, wear reflective attire. Walking next to the road at night isn’t something drivers will be expecting, so reflective clothing gives them the opportunity to spot you from a safe distance.
Take extra caution when walking at dawn or dusk, since the rising or setting sun may create a glare that makes it hard for drivers to see you, despite your bright or reflective clothing.
6. Keep Your Phones Away
Thanks to the proliferation of smartphones, texting while driving has quickly grown to become a top cause of distracted driving accidents. But texting while walking next to the road can be just as dangerous as distracted driving.
Your phone and other gadgets make you less aware of your surroundings. You could fail to notice when a situation on the road requires your quick response to evade danger. Being on your phone could also mean you miss seeing curbs or other obstacles, which could cause you to trip or fall into oncoming traffic.
7. Don’t Make It a Habit
Walking is a great way to exercise, clear your mind, and enjoy the fresh air. Nevertheless, you shouldn’t do it when it jeopardizes your safety. Always choose a safe path or sidewalk when out for a walk, or take the recommended safety precautions if you will be walking alongside a road. Consider taking your walk at a local park or indoors, if no safe place exists near you. If you are walking alongside a road or highway due to car trouble, do your best to stay visible and as far away from traffic as possible. Walking next to the road is something you should keep at the absolute minimum.
You cannot prevent every pedestrian accident, but by taking these precautions and always being aware of your surroundings, you can greatly lower the chances of death or injury.
