Pedestrians have no control over drivers who are impaired or aren’t paying attention. However, there are some steps you can take to better keep yourself safe when strolling the streets or riding your bike. We’ll cover those in detail below.
But before we dive in to safety precautions for pedestrians in San Diego— if you have already been injured by a negligent driver when you were walking or biking, it’s imperative that you contact a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. You have rights, and the compassionate and experienced pedestrian accident attorneys at CaseyGerry will fight to ensure that you are awarded the compensation you deserve to cover the costs of your pain and suffering.
Whether walking along urban or rural roads, using designated crosswalks is essential. Intersections are hazardous because vehicles travel in multiple directions and may also need to turn. This can create confusion and make predicting a car’s movements difficult.
However, the person inside a crosswalk generally has the right of way. Drivers are also more likely to see people in the crosswalk. Always look both ways before crossing.
Whenever possible, choose the sidewalk or another path. Some streets may have pedestrian overpasses that are much safer to cross on. Sharing the roadway with impatient drivers increases the risk of injury. When there are no sidewalks, the CDC recommends facing traffic while walking on the shoulder of the road.
Pedestrians can get distracted just like drivers can. Sometimes, the consequences are equally disastrous. For example, someone on their phone might not realize the sidewalk has ended and could continue walking into traffic. Even hands-free usage, like phone conversations or listening to music, can make it difficult to focus or hear warnings.
When possible, avoid walking on high-capacity roads. The CDC estimates that 60% of pedestrian deaths in 2020 occurred on urban roads that have speed limits between 45 and 55 miles per hour. Many of these roads have businesses that attract pedestrians, such as restaurants or stores. That can make it difficult to avoid them, so keep your eyes peeled and your ears open. Avoid
That all-black outfit might look amazing in the mirror, but it could create a safety issue in the dark. Even if you plan to drive to the venue, you become a pedestrian the second you exit the vehicle. The CDC recommends increasing your visibility when walking at night by using a flashlight or wearing reflective clothing. If you are riding a bike, you should have a bike light or reflective gear attached to your bike.
Children want more independence as they age and may not like holding hands while walking. However, this is an excellent way to keep them safe, especially on busy streets. Otherwise, a child may run into busy roadways, and you right after them. Pets are also often guilty of this, especially when chasing another animal or a ball. Keep pets on a short leash along roadways and when crossing the street.
There’s no foolproof way to prevent pedestrian accidents. Even the most careful pedestrians may fall prey to a drunk driver or may pay the unfortunate price of someone else’s road rage incident.
Accidents can happen to anyone. If it has happened to you, our team at CaseyGerry would love to review your case and help you pursue the compensation you deserve. Call to learn more about safety precautions for San Diego pedestrians.
