According to the Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety, 128 pedestrians were killed and 315 were injured in our state in 2020. With the University of Missouri nearby and an active downtown in Columbia, pedestrians are a daily fact of life in our area. Pedestrians are also found in rural areas where you may not expect them, so it’s important to be alert no matter where you’re driving.
Here are a few tips for being a safer driver who knows how to share the road with pedestrians:
- Pedestrians have a right to use a crosswalk. If they are crossing from the same half of the road that you are on, you must stop to let them cross. If they are on the opposite half from you, you must yield to them once they are close enough to you that it could be dangerous for you not to stop. Vehicles behind you are not allowed to overtake your vehicle as you wait for the pedestrian. It’s a good idea to stop about 30 feet away from the crosswalk so that the person behind you can see the pedestrian and recognize what is going on.
- Be cautious when turning at an intersection. Many of the collisions between motorists and pedestrians occur when the motorist is making a turn, whether that’s at an intersection, parking lot, or onto another road from a turn lane. Be extra cautious when making turns. You should be checking for both vehicles and pedestrians (and all other road users) as you make the turn.
- Don’t drive distracted, intoxicated, or fatigued. Dangerous driving behaviors increase the risk of injuring a pedestrian. Driving requires focus, concentration, coordination, judgment, alertness – all of which are negatively impacted by distractions, drunk driving, drowsiness, and the like.
These are a few ways you can reduce the risk of a pedestrian vs. car accident. If you were injured in a collision caused by someone else’s negligence, we hope you’ll contact our experienced Columbia attorneys for a consultation at 573-499-1700.
