5 Potentially Dangerous Situations for Pedestrians and How to Stay Safe
Walking can sometimes pose unexpected safety risks for pedestrians.
From navigating parking lots to keeping out of harm’s way after a social gathering, it’s crucial to be aware of potential dangers. This blog will discuss potentially hazardous scenarios and how to stay safe.
Whether you’re a regular pedestrian or an occasional city stroller, understanding these situations will help you avoid accidents and ensure you have a safe walking experience.
5 Dangerous Situations for Pedestrians and How to Stay Safe
Walking is mostly safe and enjoyable, but some situations can turn hazardous for pedestrians.
In this section, we’ll highlight 5 dangerous situations and offer advice on how you can stay safe.
1. No Sidewalks or a Dangerous “Stroad”
Walking in a place where there are no sidewalks can be dangerous for obvious reasons, but stroads can be just as scary.
A “stroad” is a combination of street and road. Stroads often are next to high-speed roads and are a cause of 60.4% of pedestrian fatalities from motor vehicles.
While avoiding these places is a best-case scenario, not everyone has this luxury.
If you need to walk on a stroad or a place without a sidewalk, it’s recommended to walk facing traffic and as far away from traffic as possible. This way, you can react in time if a driver loses control of their car.
2. Parking Lots and Driveways
Parking lots and driveways can pose unexpected risks to pedestrians. When walking through these areas, always be mindful of your surroundings.
Watch for vehicles backing out of spaces, as drivers may not see you. There may not be a lot of traffic, but you still need to be aware at all times.
Moreover, watch out for cars that are pulling into driveways.
If you have ever been injured in a parking lot or driveway, you can seek monetary compensation from a local United States attorney. For example, you can speak to a parking lot accident lawyer in Miami on this page.
3. Drinking Alcohol Before Walking
It may surprise you, but drinking alcohol does put pedestrians at risk.
Even though you might think walking home after a few drinks is the safer option, your impaired judgment and slowed response time can cause you to get hurt. This does not mean you should drink and drive.
What it does mean is that you should ask a sober friend to drive you home, call a cab, or take the bus.
If you live close by or nowhere near a busy road, then it may be safe for you to walk if you’re with friends. However, don’t drink or go out if you have no safe means to get home.
4. Crossing Without a Crosswalk
While it might appear quicker or more convenient, crossing the street without a designated crosswalk is undeniably hazardous.
Not only does it increase your chances of getting hit by an oncoming vehicle, but it can also create confusion for drivers, leading to sudden braking.
Even if there’s no traffic in sight, the scenario could quickly change, jeopardizing your safety. Always make an extra effort to locate and use marked crossing points.
But if there are none, go to a well-lit area and wait for a large gap in traffic. Continue to watch traffic while crossing.
5. Poor Weather and Failing to Stop
Pedestrians can do everything right and still get hurt because drivers lose control of their vehicles or aren’t paying attention.
It’s never a good idea to guess if a driver sees you or if they know how to drive. This assumption can get you injured or killed, so you need to pay attention.
Whether it’s the winter or summer, make sure all cars are at a complete stop before you start walking at a crosswalk.
Always look both ways while you’re walking to see if a driver is turning left or right. Lock eyes with the driver to ensure they’re seeing and watching for you.
In Conclusion…
Pedestrian safety is imperative and worth the extra awareness and caution.
While staying safe isn’t necessarily challenging, it does require taking note of situations that can lead to danger. Don’t underestimate your personal responsibility in preventing accidents when you walk around.