Longer days and warmer temperatures may be just what the doctor ordered. Even though temperatures aren’t quite up to summer level yet, you take the opportunity to get outside and walk around. The fresh air and beautiful skies make you smile.
However, you need to temper your excitement with caution. Mixing pedestrians with motor vehicles can be a toxic combination, especially for you. You don’t have the protection of being inside a passenger compartment with the latest safety measures, such as airbags. If a vehicle strikes you, you will undoubtedly suffer significant injuries.
You can take steps to increase your safety
Even a walk around your neighborhood could end in disaster. However, if you keep the following tips in mind, you could get home safely:
- One mistake that people make is thinking they can walk safely after drinking alcohol since they aren’t driving. Without all of your faculties intact, you could still end up injured.
- Even though you aren’t in a vehicle, you need to obey traffic signals and signs.
- Drivers may not see you as they back out of a driveway or a parking space. Keep your eyes and ears open.
- If sidewalks are available, be sure to use them. They are there to give you a safer place to walk.
- In areas where there are no sidewalks, walk against the flow of traffic. This gives you the opportunity to see what is coming at you, which could give you the precious seconds you need to avoid tragedy.
- Try to make eye contact with vehicle drivers at intersections and any other time they approach you. This helps ensure they see you, which isn’t always a given.
- Even as you enjoy your walk, make sure you remain alert and aware of your surroundings. This isn’t the time to listen to music, podcasts or books on tape, or to answer texts, post on social media or look at emails.
- If you must cross a street without the benefit of a crosswalk or intersection, try to do so where the lighting is good so that you can see and drivers can see you. Even if you have to wait a few extra seconds or minutes, be sure you have enough time and space to cross safely.
- Drivers expect to see pedestrians at intersections and crosswalks. You may have to walk a bit further to reach these areas, but doing so could save your life.
Walking is great exercise, and some even say it’s therapeutic, which is why so many people take advantage of the good weather and longer days. However, you could easily lose those benefits if a motor vehicle strikes you. By doing what you can to reduce that risk, you could end up enjoying this outdoor activity for years to come.
However, sometimes you can do everything right and still end up injured. When that happens, you will need all the support you can find for your recovery, which could include exploring your legal options for pursuing compensation as well.
