Imagine yourself walking down the street minding your own business when all of a sudden, a car swerves to avoid you. Though it’s a horrifying idea, it unfortunately occurs much too frequently in our cities and villages. In order to keep us safe from injury and to improve everyone’s experience of living in and enjoying our streets, pedestrian protection is crucial. In this blog article, we’ll look at the numerous ways that protecting pedestrians may keep our streets safe as well as what each of us can do to help make our neighbourhoods safer places to walk. Now lace up your walking shoes and let’s begin!
Risks Associated with Distracted Walking
Despite the recent focus on distracted driving, distracted walking is a significant issue as well. Accidents are more likely to occur when pedestrians are preoccupied with their phones or other devices.
Distracted walking is risky for a number of reasons. First of all, people walking while gazing down at their phones are not paying attention to where they are going. They might not hear a voice calling to them or notice a car approaching. Second, if they are not paying attention, they might not have time to react even if they do spot a possible hazard.
Third, using a phone while walking can make it harder to balance and coordinate. This implies that individuals still run the risk of tripping and falling even if they manage to prevent an accident. Fourth, talking on a phone while you’re walking might be distracting for those around you, which raises the possibility of accidents taking place close to you.
What can be done, then, to lessen the dangers of walking while distracted? Do not use your phone while walking, to begin with. Be vigilant and pay attention to your surroundings. If using a phone while walking is necessary, make sure you’re in a secure location where you can hear and see everything that is going on around you.
The Risks of Streets with Inadequate Lighting
For pedestrians, poorly illuminated roadways can be exceedingly dangerous. Without sufficient lighting, it may be challenging to identify possible road dangers, increasing the risk that pedestrians will be hit by a car or another vehicle. Moreover, dimly illuminated streets can encourage crime because perpetrators can use the cover of night to carry out their acts undetected. In order to protect pedestrians and discourage crime, it is crucial for towns to invest in adequate street lighting.
The Value of Dressing in Reflective Material
Being seen by drivers is crucial for pedestrians. Whether it’s dark or early in the morning, wearing luminous clothes makes you more visible to cars. When reflective clothing covers a significant portion of your body, it is most effective. You are easier to see by cars if you are wearing highly luminous clothing.
Many pieces of clothing already have reflective fabric integrated into them. Shoes, belts, and jackets with reflective fabric or trim are also available. Consider purchasing some fluorescent clothing if you frequently run or stroll so you can be safe on the highways.
The value of observing traffic regulations
There are several reasons why traffic laws are crucial. By directing traffic and ensuring that everyone is according to the same rules, they keep pedestrians safe. As a result, accidents are reduced and individuals are free to move around without being concerned about being hit by a car. Also, traffic regulations lower the amount of noise and pollution on our streets. We can all contribute to making our streets safer and more enjoyable by following the rules of the road.
Driver awareness: its importance
The probability of pedestrian accidents rises along with the amount of vehicles on the road. 5,987 pedestrians were killed in road incidents in the United States in 2016; this represents a 9% increase from the previous year.
Maintaining the safety of our streets for pedestrians depends on driver awareness. Many actions can be taken by drivers to increase their awareness of pedestrians:
- Throw away any enticements. One of the main factors contributing to pedestrian accidents is distracted driving. Make sure the road is the only thing on your mind if you are driving. That entails not using a cell phone, eating, or playing with the radio.
- Speed up. Another significant contributor to pedestrian accidents is speeding. It’s crucial to slow down and allow yourself extra time when driving in locations where pedestrians are likely to be present, such as close to playgrounds or schools, so you can respond quickly if someone walks into your path.
- Be very watchful at night. Driving after dark requires extra caution since pedestrian accidents happen more frequently at night than they do during the day. To help you spot pedestrians who may be crossing the road in or close by, pay special attention to crosswalks and turn on your headlights.
