Taking steps to promote safety as a pedestrian

Whether you are visiting California on vacation or call this state home, there may be a variety of reasons why you might prefer to do much of your traveling via the sidewalk instead of the pavement. Walking to and from destinations can help you avoid traffic and may act as a means of exercise, but there may be some level of risk involved.

As a pedestrian, there may be little in the way of protective barriers to shield you from harm should a collision take place. As such, taking steps to promote pedestrian safety could prove integral to protecting your health and mitigating the risks of a collision, but you might have questions about what you can do to achieve such goals.

Pedestrian safety strategies

While there may be little you can do to control the actions of nearby drivers while walking near traffic, there might be certain steps you can take to cultivate a safer walking environment, such as:

• Sidewalks and routes:Sticking to sidewalks could help mitigate a variety of potential risks, and being familiar with the routes you plan to take may also help you address any existing safety concerns.
• Nearby obstacles:Using caution when walking near obstacles that may obscure vision and when traveling in areas with streetside parking may be integral to promoting safety.
• Improving visibility:Wearing bright clothing and walking in areas with sufficient lighting are two examples of ways to improve visibility, which is also an integral component to pedestrian safety.
• Remaining vigilant:Distractions are not only dangerous for drivers. Maintaining constant focus and awareness of your surroundings while walking may be vital to identifying and reacting to potential risks.

Using clearly marked crosswalks may also be essential when crossing the street. Even if you have the right-of-way at these areas, it may be helpful to avoid assuming nearby drivers will yield and let you pass.

Pedestrian collisions

Even if you take every possible measure to mitigate pedestrian crash risks, you might find it difficult or even impossible to respond should the actions of a negligent driver create a hazardous situation. An ensuing collision could carry dire repercussions that could leave you facing numerous challenges in life. The outcome of the crash could leave you with severe injuries that might diminish your quality of life, and the financial challenges involved with the costs of treatment and recovery could also place a significant strain on your monetary well-being.