Road Safety - Important Tips for Pedestrian

Pedestrians are vulnerable road users. Pedestrian injuries and fatalities remain high, especially among children and older adults. Pedestrians are also at risk when crossing roads. Pedestrians are not legally required to yield the right-of-way to vehicles, even if they are walking on a crosswalk. Drivers must stop before hitting them. If you see someone near a roadway, call 911 immediately.

Everyone is a Pedestrian. You may prefer riding a bike, taking public transit, or driving a car. But at one point or another, everyone is a pedestrian. Drivers must respect pedestrians' right-of-way and keep themselves and their passengers safe. Pedestrians should always walk facing traffic, never cross against traffic, and always yield to vehicles before crossing the street.

Pedestrians should always be aware of what is happening around them. They should keep an eye out for other drivers and remember to watch out for children and pets. They should also pay attention to the directions given by traffic officers and follow any instructions they give. Pedestrians may not necessarily need to follow all of the rules at every intersection, but they should still stay alert and be careful. Wear bright colors like red, yellow, blue, green, orange, white, purple, pink, gray, black, brown, tan, or silver. Add reflectors to your clothes, shoes, bicycle, car, motorbike, scooter, or anything else you ride. Be visible at all times. Don't walk on the highway or any other road when there is traffic. If you're walking, stay away from moving vehicles.

It's important to stop, look and think before you cross the road. It's also important to remember that you're not invincible. When you walk across the road, there are many ways you could get injured or killed. There are many reasons why we shouldn't cross the road. Crossing the road is dangerous because it puts us at risk of getting hit by cars. We need to keep our phones out of sight, and we need to keep our ears plugged in while we're walking. We should always wear light-colored clothes at night, and we should never assume that someone else will see us.

When walking through an area where there is no pedestrian crossing try using these tips to cross safely. Stop. When you get to the side of the road, look both ways for approaching cars and trucks. Cross when you see them coming. Keep your eyes on the road and watch out for traffic. If you see a car coming toward you, step away from the edge of the pavement. Don't run. You might not be able to stop if a car hits you. Slow down and walk slowly. Try to stay well clear of the edge of the road. Walk on the middle line of the road. If there is no middle line, walk on the left side of the road. If you're unsure, ask someone what to do.

Make sure you can clearly see approaching vehicles. If they are not stopping, don’t step out onto the road. Wait until they have passed before you consider leaving your space. Cross when it is safe to do so. Always choose a safe place to walk across the road. Avoid crossing between parked cars or near bus stops, or at the front or rear of buses. Never cross at a crest of a slope or a bend in the street making it difficult to see oncoming traffic and to be seen.

Follow the "Stop. Look. Think. Walk if Safe" advice above and: Don't run across streets when you see cars coming. Wait until it is clear to cross. Be aware of your surroundings at all times. Pedestrian countdown timers show how many seconds you have to remain to safely cross the street. If you haven't crossed yet, the timer can help you decide if you should go ahead. When waiting at a traffic light, don't enter the intersection if vehicles are moving through it or if the red doesn’t walk signal shows.

Pedestrians must be careful when walking on and around the road. Drivers are often distracted by looking at other vehicles and may not notice someone walking across the road until it is too close. Even at slow speeds, a motor vehicle can cause serious injuries and even death. Pedestrians should pick a safe route to their destinations and avoid busy streets and intersections. Finally, pedestrians should always be alert and aware of their surroundings.

When walking in a crowd, keep your head down and your eyes forward. Avoid looking at other pedestrians, because if you get hit, it will be very hard to tell who did it. Keep your hands visible, especially when crossing streets. If someone runs into you, try to see what happened and help them out. Don't assume that everyone else knows what they're doing. Look around before stepping off the curb, and watch for cars coming toward you.

Wear clothing and accessories incorporating retro-reflective materials, when walking at night or under low light conditions, such as rainy or cloudy weather. Carry a flashlight if walking at night. Cross streets only in well-lit areas at night. Do not begin crossing streets before vehicles have stopped. Be smart and alert.

Walk on sidewalks or paths when possible. Make sure drivers see you and give them plenty of time to react. Look both ways before crossing streets. Scan for cars before stepping out onto roads. When using a smartphone, keep it away from your face.

When walking through a parking lot or along a road, pay attention to your surroundings. Listen for cars backing out of parking spots or driving past you. When waiting at an intersection, watch for cars that may need to turn left or right. Always walk facing traffic and keep your eyes on the road ahead. If you're crossing a street, look both ways before stepping onto the curb or sidewalk. Walk slowly and carefully. Don't assume drivers around you will stop for you or give you enough time to cross safely.

If you were injured as a pedestrian in a car accident or lost a loved one in a pedestrian accident, hire an experienced pedestrian accident lawyer in Harris County, Galveston County, Fort Bend County, Montgomery County, Brazoria County, Houston, Sugar Land, Missouri City, Stafford, Texas at Thornton Esquire Law Group, PLLC. Contact us today for a free consultation.