You may enjoy your walks around town but if drivers do not pay attention, they may strike you as you cross the street. You need to understand how you can protect yourself as a pedestrian.
A collision with a car can result in serious injuries and in some cases can be fatal. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says that 6,205 people died in 2019 after a car struck them. Pedestrians cannot control drivers. However, there are several steps that you can take to ensure your safety while walking.
Avoid distractions
If you are not paying attention to your surroundings, you may not see potential hazards until it is too late. You should usually refrain from talking on the phone and sending text messages while you walk. Additionally, you may want to avoid using earbuds. Listening to music or podcasts may cause you to miss sounds that alert you to hazards.
Follow pedestrian guidelines
One of the best ways to protect yourself is to make sure you follow the rules of the road. Walk along sidewalks, where drivers expect to see pedestrians. Some roads may not have sidewalks and in this situation, you should walk along the side of the road. Make sure you face traffic as you walk. This allows you to watch the oncoming cars and see what they are doing.
You usually should not cross in the middle of streets because most drivers do not look for pedestrians there. Instead, wait until you reach an intersection or a crosswalk to cross.
If you take precautions as you walk, you may be able to avoid a collision with a car.