Tips for Pedestrians
Follow these tips for pedestrians to mitigate the risk of a pedestrian accident:
- Always use designated crosswalks. When a crosswalk is unavailable, cross at an intersection, but never diagonally.
- Obey traffic signals. If you cross when the pedestrian signal is red, you significantly increase the risk of getting into a pedestrian accident. Wait until the walk sign is on, and only attempt to cross if there’s enough time left on the crosswalk signal.
- Look to the left, the right, and the left again before crossing a road – even in a crosswalk or intersection.
- Wear bright or reflective clothing to make yourself more visible to drivers, especially when walking at night.
- Do not walk while you are distracted, such as while using your phone. Always keep your head up to look for danger, including drivers who may be speeding or driving recklessly.
- Wherever possible, walk on sidewalks. If the road doesn’t have sidewalks, walk facing traffic so you can see what oncoming traffic is doing. Always walk as close to the edge of the road — away from traffic — as possible.
- Walk in a straight line and avoid sudden movements. This helps drivers anticipate your actions.
- If possible, cross with a group of people. A group of people crossing the street is safer than one person crossing.
- Even if you have the right of way, watch for turning vehicles, especially in intersections where vehicles can turn on red.
- When walking in parking lots, watch for people backing up or watch for moving cars if you are between cars.
- Know where a vehicle’s blind spots are, especially for large trucks, which have larger blind spots. The driver will not be able to see you, and you may not be able to move fast enough to get out of the way.
Pedestrian Accident Attorneys in Columbia, MO
To learn more about pedestrian accidents, speak with an attorney at Holder Susan Holder. To schedule a consultation, please call 573-499-1700. Holder Susan Holder serves Columbia and the surrounding areas in Missouri.
