Pedestrian safety tips: Avoiding accidents

Pedestrian safety tips can prevent accidents. Our Pennsylvania law firm is pleased to provide the following safety information:

• Cross the street at highly-visible and well-marked crosswalks. If your community provides "signalized" crosswalks with a "WALK" phrase, you should always cross the street there. If your community fails to provide these types of crosswalks, be extremely cautious of motorists and cross the street as quickly and as safely as possible.
• Never cross the street at a signalized crosswalk unless the signal states "WALK."
• Never run across the roadway. Running increases your chances of tripping and falling.
• Never assume that traffic will slow or stop for you. Before crossing the street, make sure all vehicles are stopped. Also, make certain that all motorists know you are about to cross the street. You can do this by making eye contact with the driver before you step off the curb. Attentive drivers usually give clear signals that they see you and will wait for you to cross. For example, a driver might return eye contact or give you an invitational hand gesture.
• If you are uncertain whether a driver will stop to let you cross -- don't cross. Follow your instincts. It's better to be safe than sorry.
• Beware of right-turn-on-red intersections. Inattentive drivers may fail to fully stop at these intersections. Before stepping off the curb, make certain oncoming drivers are fully stopped and know that you are about to cross the street.
• Pay close attention to the sun in relation to the roadway. Drivers can be blinded by the sun and fail to see a pedestrian in the road. This is particularly true during the morning hours and winter afternoons. Again, make sure the driver is stopped and sees you before you attempt to cross the street.
• If possible, avoid walking at night. If you must walk on a roadway at night, make yourself visible. Wear reflective clothing. If that's not possible, make sure your clothing is light in color. It is also very wise to bring a flashlight with you.
• If a sidewalk is provided, use it. Never walk on a street when a sidewalk is available.
• If possible, it's best to stay indoors during a snow, ice, or rain storm. During these times, driver visibility is low, and pedestrians are at greater risk for being struck by a vehicle. In addition, snow and ice storms generally cause sidewalks to be unusable. Unusable sidewalks force pedestrians to walk on the street, which is dangerous in even the best weather conditions.
• Beware of parked cars on the street and in parking lots. Listen for drivers starting their cars before stepping between vehicles. Stop and look carefully for vehicles backing up.
• Never run in a parking lot.
• Never drink alcohol and walk on roadways.
• Parents should teach their children pedestrian safety at an early age (beginning in pre-school). In addition to teaching pedestrian safety at home, parents should enroll their children in a pedestrian safety program if one is available.
• Parents should never allow their young children to play anywhere near a street unsupervised.

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