Across the country, a pedestrian was killed every 81 minutes, and injured every 10 minutes, in collisions in 2020. These deaths didn’t need to happen. October is Pedestrian Safety Month, and it’s our job as drivers to do everything we can to safely share the road with pedestrians. With pedestrians in mind, here are 5 tips for staying safe on the road.
1. Sharing the Road with Pedestrians
Pedestrians are people traveling on foot, usually on sidewalks or crosswalks.
Here are some general pedestrian safety tips to follow as a driver:
- Stop for pedestrians before an unmarked crosswalk on the driver’s side of the roadway when there aren’t any traffic control signals.
- Stop for pedestrians when they enter a crosswalk before the traffic light changes.
- Stop when a pedestrian is walking with a green light, to a walking person symbol, or to a walk symbol.
- Pay close attention and stop when a pedestrian is leaving or entering a street or highway from an alley, building, private road, or driveway.
- Stop for pedestrians on the sidewalk when entering or exiting an alley, driveway, or private road.
- At red lights and stop signs, come to a full and complete stop before entering the intersection. Don’t let any part of your vehicle hang over the stop line or crosswalk.
- Always check for pedestrians before turning right at a red light.
- Use extra caution around especially vulnerable pedestrians (e.g., children, older pedestrians, disabled pedestrians).
It’s your responsibility to stay alert and avoid collisions with pedestrians.
2. Sharing the Road with Bicyclists
The next safety tip is for drivers sharing the road with bicyclists. You’ll find bicyclists in different places depending on what they’re using their bicycle for. Inexperienced cyclists tend to stick to the sidewalk and make shorter trips.
Utility bicyclists like direct routes that are safe, and they’re more likely to be on the road during commuting hours. Utility bicyclists are typically familiar with bicyclist rules and mix with general traffic with ease. They use a bicycle lane whenever possible.
Sports and leisure bicyclists are found in various environments depending on the purpose of their ride. Some bicyclists will do longer trips on roads with good surface conditions, usually in the morning and outside of peak commuting times.
Make sure you're familiar with hand signals, both as a bicyclist and as a driver.
Here are a few tips for sharing the road with bicyclists:
- Always leave plenty of space between your vehicle and a bicyclist when passing or driving alongside them.
- Only pass a bicyclist when it’s safe and legal to do so. You can’t ignore the rules of the road just because they’re not in a vehicle.
- Some states prohibit drivers from ever driving in bike lanes, while other states allow drivers to use the bike lane when making a turn. If your state allows it, make sure the bike lane is completely clear before using it to make your turn.
- Turn off your high beam headlights when there are bicycles approaching and when following them.
- Keep more distance between your vehicle and the bicyclist than you would a normal vehicle in normal conditions.
- If you’re parking on the street, make sure there’s not a bicyclist coming before you open your car door.
- Don’t honk your horn to get a bicyclist’s attention unless absolutely necessary to protect their safety.
Bicyclists are allowed to ride in the travel lane on narrow roads, to avoid hazards, or to make left turns. Give the bicyclist full use of the travel lane when it’s too narrow for both a car and bicycle to share, even if they’re going way slower than the flow of traffic.
Bicyclists, keep in mind that when you’re riding a bicycle, you are more vulnerable to injury and death than when you are protected by a motor vehicle. Pay extra attention to roadway conditions and to motor vehicles. Drivers may not see you or may not be paying attention. Take your safety into your own hands.
3. Sharing the Road with Motorcycles
Similar to bicycles, motorcycles are smaller and harder to see than other vehicles. Motorcyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as motor vehicles, and they need to work together with drivers to keep everyone safe.
Here are some rules for motorists to follow when sharing the road with motorcyclists:
- Motorcyclists have the right to a full lane of travel. Don’t try to ride side-by-side in a lane with a motorcyclist.
- Pass a motorcycle just like you would pass a car. Don’t share the lane while passing, and don’t get too close or go too fast. The blast of air could blow a motorcycle out of control.
- Always signal your intention to turn and watch for oncoming motorcycles that may be hard to see. When turning left at 4-way intersections, always be alert and watch for motorcyclists following behind vehicles in oncoming traffic. Be patient and look for motorcyclists.
- Motorcyclists can be missed when a driver doesn’t check their blind spot. Remember, motorcycles are shorter and narrower than other vehicles and are harder to see. You don’t want to hit or clip a motorcycle while changing lanes.
- When you’re driving near a motorcycle, allow room for the rider to adjust to hazards you can’t see yet. Cyclists often change lanes to prepare for upcoming traffic conditions. Most collisions and injuries happen at intersections, so wait until a motorcyclist’s intentions are absolutely clear before you go.
There were 5,579 motorcyclists killed in 2020 in the US, which was about 14% of all traffic fatalities. This is the highest number of motorcycle fatalities since data started being recorded in 1975. This isn’t okay. Motorcyclists and drivers need to work together so we can keep those numbers down going forward.
4. Keeping Especially Vulnerable Pedestrians Safe
There are some pedestrians that need extra care and alertness when sharing the road with drivers.
Children. In the US, 16% of children age 14 and under who were killed in traffic collisions were pedestrians in 2020. There were 177 child pedestrians killed in traffic crashes that year. Seventy-nine percent of the children who died were struck by the front of the vehicle. Twenty percent of the children were struck by hit-and-run drivers.
That’s absolutely unacceptable.
Never assume an adult will grab a child in the street in time. Drive cautiously when children are around, and be ready to maneuver for their safety. If you’ve ever spent time around little ones, you know their squishy brains aren’t great at impulse control. Always look beneath cars as you drive through neighborhoods, checking for kids. A child who is standing out of view behind a car might suddenly dart into the road.
Older pedestrians. Take extra care when sharing the road with older pedestrians. All of the same rules apply to older pedestrians as other pedestrians, but keep in mind that older pedestrians may be slower and unsteady on their feet. They may not have as much eyesight as other pedestrians.
Pedestrians with disabilities. Pedestrians with disabilities have the same rights as any other pedestrian. Allow plenty of time for pedestrians with disabilities to cross the road.
Blind pedestrians definitely need more space and attention. Don’t honk your horn to signal a blind person to stop when you want to cross before them. You may startle them, and they likely won’t know why you’re honking in the first place. Just wait until they’re safely out of the way.
You should never interact with service animals while they are working, especially from your vehicle. It’s also very important to blind people that you do not stop any part of your vehicle in the crosswalk. It’s difficult for them to navigate around unexpected obstacles and puts them in danger.
5. Be a Safe Pedestrian
It’s not only the job of a driver to watch out for pedestrians-it’s the job of pedestrians to watch out for drivers, too!
When you’re a pedestrian sharing the road with other roadway users, there are rules for you to follow as well.
Here are a few ways to stay safe as a pedestrian:
- Pedestrians still need to follow the same traffic laws as everyone else.
- Only cross the street at an intersection or crosswalk. It’s super dangerous to cross in the middle of the block (i.e., jaywalking).
- Don’t walk in the street if you can help it. Use sidewalks whenever possible.
- If you’re in an area without sidewalks, walk on the left side of the road facing traffic. Step off the pavement when you hear and see a car approaching.
- If you feel the need to cross the street outside of an intersection or marked crosswalk, wait until the roadway is clear of all vehicles.
- Always look both ways before crossing the street and before stepping out from behind parked cars!
- Don’t text or wear headphones when you’re walking. If you do want to wear ear buds, only wear them in one ear so you can still hear everything happening around you.
Make sure you’re following the rules of the road when you’re driving and when you’re a pedestrian yourself.
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