Safety Tips for Pedestrians

A pedestrian is anyone who walks on foot. The moment you step into a vehicle, you have become either the driver or passenger and thus are no longer a pedestrian. Once a pedestrian is within a few yards of a vehicle, he or she increases the risk of being involved in a pedestrian-related accident.

Vehicles have many safety features including antilock brakes, airbags and side airbags, and seat belts, all within a steel cage. Pedestrians, of course, do not have these features available to them. However, there are some things a pedestrian does have: the ability to reason, prepare, and sense danger.

Safety Tips

Here are a few basic safety tips for pedestrians to keep in mind:

• Keep an eye on your children. If you walk with your child down the sidewalk, keep yourself between your child and the road of traffic. Children have a tendency to “dart” away in a matter of seconds, so it is good idea to be aware of nearby vehicles and educate your child on pedestrian safety.
• Follow traffic signs. The “Walk” and “Do not walk” signs have been placed for the public’s use. Use them. Also, use crosswalks when not crossing the street at an intersection.
• Keep a moderate distance from the road. If you notice the vehicles beside you are very loud, chances are you walking too close to them. Some drivers consider the roadside a safe zone if it prevents a head-on collision. It is not uncommon for a driver to accidently swerve on to or near a sidewalk in order to avoid a collision.
• Avoid high-speed zones. Vehicles in high-speed areas sometimes travel faster than some of the sounds they produce, making it seem as if they are not travelling at incredibly high speeds. High-speed zones do not afford the same reaction time that a pedestrian would find at a busy intersection.

Contact Us

If you or someone you know has been hurt in a pedestrian-related accident and would like more information on your legal rights and options, contact the Las Vegas automobile accident attorneys of William Palmer & Associates, P.C. at 702-888-2222.