Pedestrian Safety

We hear it all the time, “Pedestrians have the right of way”. But how many times do people actually stop to let others cross the street? According to the Federal Highway Administration, pedestrian fatalities comprise about 12 percent of all traffic fatalities and there are about 4,000 pedestrian deaths annually. Not all cities and towns have crosswalks either, so it’s just a matter of honesty, caring, and stopping. In a study done by the Surface Transportation Policy Partnership, the top 10 unsafe places for pedestrians were all located in the south, particularly FL, NC, TX, AL and GA. Whether you’re walking to work in the big city or taking a stroll on a country road, here are some tips on how to keep safe while you walk.

• Use the crosswalk. I can’t stress enough how important it is to just follow the rules of the road to stay safe. Too many people take chances when crossing a street without using the crosswalk and risk losing their lives in the process. Cities and towns make it so easy for us to cross safely with buttons that actually stop traffic lights allowing us to cross safely.

• If you’re walking in an urban city and talking on your cell phone, you may not be paying close attention, so make sure that you are careful.

• Some of us like to go on daily jogs or long walks and listen to music. If you wear earphones or ear buds, keep them quiet enough that you can still hear what is going on around you. If your music is too loud, you may not be able to hear cars coming.

• If possible, try not to walk along the road. Look for sidewalks or other path-ike areas to walk on. And walk on the inside of the sidewalk. You never know when a car may take a sharp turn and end up on the sidewalk.

• Always keep your eyes open. Some of the newer cars that are being made these days are so quiet that you sometimes can’t even hear them coming. Make sure you are aware of your surroundings and that you make eye contact with the driver so that you both know you’re there.

• Teach your children about safe road safety and explain to them that they should never run out into the middle of any road, with or without traffic.

Learning and practicing safe habits can not only save you, but it can also save the lives of others.

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