At Comedy Defense Driving, we love to share tips on how to make the road a safer place for everyone. Pedestrian safety is still a concern within traffic safety circles, which are continuing toward educating the public on pedestrian safety for both pedestrians and drivers. In fact, there are many remaining concerns with traffic safety, in general; yet, with the percentage of pedestrian fatalities at crosswalks, crossroads are still of primary concern to the Federal Highway Administration and are regarded as a critical safety point.
As a driver, when you decide to operate a vehicle, you assume responsibility for your actions while on the road. Driving in the presence of pedestrians demands a certain amount of heightened awareness. Pedestrians who utilize crosswalks or shared roads must also assume a great amount of responsibility. It is no surprise that most pedestrian accidents take place in urban areas, where both drivers and pedestrians are in high volume. Pedestrian fatalities also occur in high numbers in rural areas, where high speed is a fatal factor in the accident. Here we will run through what we can do as drivers to meet in the middle for road safety, since the operation of a vehicle can present fatal consequences if certain habits are not established:
1. Follow the speed limit at all times. This may be a simple rule to some, but reminding ourselves of why the speed limit is in place can help reinforce a greater commitment to abiding by a safe speed for everyone on the road. Areas where there are lower speed limits are of even greater importance, since these are areas where pedestrians are likely to be crossing the road regularly; as seen in neighborhood areas and school zones.
2. Practice caution in bad weather. As we’ve all experienced, visibility is limited during turbulent, rainy, or foggy weather conditions. In regards to visibility, it is just as difficult for pedestrians to remain visible to drivers, as it is for drivers to remain visible to pedestrians. Use extra caution, when driving in these conditions, by using your lights and signals properly.
3. Be mindful of your surroundings. Another simple rule, but important, nonetheless. When we observe pedestrian fatalities on the road, it is often due to high speed and other neglectful habits on the road. Texting, eating, applying make-up, changing the radio, and other activities are under the umbrella of neglectful and irresponsible behavior on the road. Be mindful when entering and exiting driveways, approaching crosswalks, and at other critical junctures, which are all threatened when we decide to take our focus off the road.
Utilizing smarter, safer, more attentive habits within your driving can help save a life. By identifying critical safety zones on the road, drivers can begin to create a safer environment for pedestrians everywhere. Distractions, speeding, and driving under the influence are all contributing factors to a larger problem of unawareness in the issues of both pedestrian and general road safety.