Most people traveled around on foot when they were kids. Despite this, many drivers seem to have forgotten just how vulnerable pedestrians are.
When walking it pays to look out for your own safety, as you know you can’t rely on others to always drive with adequate caution. Here are some tips:
Choose where to cross the road carefully
A marked crossing is the ideal place to cross, yet some streets lack enough of these and you may prefer to cross where you are rather than take a massive detour. If you are going to cross away from a crossing, think about where the cars will be able to see you and you will be able to see them. Crossing on a blind bend is a bad idea, for example.
Crossing at intersections means you need to look in four directions to see if it is safe, whereas crossing a little further down one of the streets leading into the intersection means you only need to check in two directions.
Choose where to walk with an eye to safety
If you do not have adequate sidewalks where you need to go, the rule is to walk facing the oncoming traffic. This is better than having a vehicle surprise you from behind. Routes that are fine in summer, when the days are long and there is plenty of light may be better replaced with streets that have better lighting once the nights draw in.
However, all the advice in the world still won’t reduce the pedestrian injury rate to zero. If a driver injures you while you’re walking, you have every right to expect fair compensation for your losses. Legal guidance can help.