Pedestrian accidents are a huge issue in the United States. In 2023, reports came out that fatal pedestrian crashes had hit a 40-year high. Every single day, these reports claim, roughly 20 people die in car accidents. That’s nearly one person every hour, every day, every year.
Many of these individuals are simply out for a jog, a walk or another form of exercise near the road. They have to share these spaces with motor vehicles, and they face extensive risks while doing so. It is important for them to know what steps they can take to reduce their accident odds and stay safe.
Important safety tips
With this goal in mind, here are some tips that pedestrians should keep in mind:
- Always run or walk facing traffic; this is the opposite of what you should do on a bicycle, when you are supposed to ride with the flow of traffic.
- Don’t allow yourself to get distracted by a cellphone, your headphones or other electronic devices.
- Focus on visibility, wearing bright clothing and even considering reflective clothes or LED lights.
- Always obey all traffic laws and traffic signals.
- Even when you have the right of way, be defensive and anticipate mistakes that drivers will make. For instance, it can help to make eye contact with a driver before jogging in front of their car, even if there is a crosswalk and you know that you legally have the right of way.
These tips can keep you safer, but you could still get injured in an accident caused by a negligent driver. If so, make sure you know how to seek proper financial compensation.