Pedestrian Safety Tips

 Posted on December 00, 0000 in Car Accidents

In 2007, the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration reported that over 4,500 pedestrians were killed as result of an auto accident. It is the responsibility of drivers and pedestrians to keep each other safe on the road. Drivers should always be operating in a defensive mode. However, a pedestrian suddenly crossing into the road to cross does not give a lot of time to react behind the wheel. A driver disobeying a traffic light also puts a pedestrian, crossing safely, at risk.

Traffic Lights Explained

At intersections, traffic lights help us stay organized and safe. For drivers, the light patterns are more straightforward: green: go, yellow: slow down, red: stop. Here are the pedestrian lights explained further:

• Walk: The symbol of a walking person means that pedestrians may cross the street that the signal is facing, and have the right of way.
• Do not walk (flashing): This is when the red hand alerting you it is not safe to walk is blinking or flashing. This means that a pedestrian should not start crossing the street. A person in process of crossing may continue doing so.
• Do not walk: You should not begin crossing the street. Even if there are no cars coming.

If you are following the rules as a pedestrian, a driver may be held responsible for any pain and suffering an accident with their car has caused. A person does not have the right to be anywhere in the road on foot. Here are some safety tips to keep yourself from harm and keep the law on your side in case of a suit:

• Use designated walkways: Walkways and crossings keep pedestrians in a safe area away from traffic. If there is not a designated walkway on a road, pedestrians are allowed to walk on the shoulder, or outer edge, facing oncoming traffic. If a sidewalk is closed, cross the street or use a different road.
• Follow traffic signals: Traffic lights or signals are there for your safety. Follow the signals unless instructed to do otherwise by law enforcement.
• Be aware: Your parents taught you to look both ways before crossing the street as a child. Follow this rule. Standing at a curb like this at a crosswalk will also alert drivers that you are looking to cross the street.

Contact an Orland Park Injury Attorney

There are ways to protect yourself as a pedestrian, but a person driving an automobile can still put you in danger. If you have been hit by a car while walking,  get in touch with an experienced Orland Park, Illinois personal injury attorney to see if you are eligible for compensation from pain and suffering caused by a driver.  Set up a free consultation by calling our office at 708-966-2408.

Source: https://police.illinoisstate.edu/safety/pedestrian/