If you live in an area where there are a lot of pedestrians, you’re likely familiar with what it takes to be a safe and courteous pedestrian already. However, if you happen to live in an area where there aren’t many pedestrians, you might not be as well versed in ways to keep yourself safe. But in some situations, there are simply times where it’s not as safe to be on the road, for seasoned pedestrians, novice pedestrians, or even drivers in vehicles. So to help ensure that you don’t get hurt while walking on the streets, here are three tips for walking safely during busy traffic times.
Make It Easy To Be Seen
One of the most important things you can do to keep yourself safe as a pedestrian is to make it easy for you to be seen. Not only do you need to watch out for things like cars on the road, but you also don’t want to run into another person. To get yourself seen easily, PedBikeInfo.org recommends that you wear bright colored clothing. You should also use some type of light on your person if you’re walking in the dark, or stick to places that are already well-lit. Additionally, try not to walk where you’ll be hidden by something like a bush or hedges. This last tip is especially important if you’re about to be crossing the street, as this is when you’re coming into traffic and putting yourself in more danger.
Walk In The Safe Spaces
Speaking of crossing the street, it’s always going to be safest to do this in certain designated areas. According to AAA, this means that you should always be using a crosswalk when it’s available. In the event that there isn’t a crosswalk that you can use, the next best option is to come to a well lit corner and attempt to cross the street there when there’s a break in traffic. Make sure this break in traffic that you’re trying to take advantage of is big enough that you can get across the street without putting too much pressure on yourself or causing drivers to be interrupted too much, as they may not be paying attention and be putting yourself and others at risk.
Stay Off The Road During Dangerous Times
There are certain times where it is more dangerous to be walking on the streets than others. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, a pedestrian is killed in a traffic accident every hour and a half. Knowing this, it’s smart to avoid being a pedestrian at these times. Times where you might want to find different transportation options include during rush hour or on holidays where the chances of drunk driving might increase.
To keep yourself safe, consider using the tips mentioned above whenever you’re a pedestrian.
