08 Jul Tips on Pedestrian Safety
Being a pedestrian can be a very dangerous thing: pedestrians are 1.5 times more likely than car passangers to die on each trip, and there is, on average, a crash-related pedestrian death every 2 hours, and a crash related pedestiran injury every 8 minutes. There are, however, things you can do to stay safe while walking alongside or on a road. Here’s a few tips from the CDC on how to be a safe and alert pedestrian.
Who’s at risk?
Pedestrians of all ages are at risk of injury or death from traffic crashes, but some people are at higher risk.
Male pedestrians are more likely to die or be injured in a motor vehicle crash than females
Teen and young adult (ages 15-29 years) pedestrians are more likely to be treated in emergency departments for crash-related injuries compared to any other age group.1
The rate of pedestrian death generally increases with age
In 2010, 33% of all pedestrians killed in traffic crashes were legally drunk, with a blood alcohol concentration of greater than or equal to 0.08 grams per deciliter
As pedestrians, children are at even greater risk of injury or death from traffic crashes due to their small size, inability to judge distances and speeds, and lack of experience with traffic rules.
Nearly one in four traffic deaths among children ages 14 and under are pedestrian deaths
Take Steps for Safety
Whenever you’re walking, keep these tips in mind:
Cross the street at a designated crosswalk.
Be careful at intersections where drivers may fail to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians while turning onto another street.
Increase your visibility at night by carrying a flashlight and wearing retro-reflective clothing.
It’s safest to walk on a sidewalk, but if you must walk in the street, walk facing traffic.