How To Avoid Pedestrian Accidents When Driving In Busy Areas

Safety is the most important thing when you’re in your vehicle. This includes doing everything possible to prevent pedestrian accidents. Sometimes, automobile accidents are unavoidable and there are questions whether the driver or the pedestrian is at fault in car accidents.

Drivers can prevent pedestrian accidents as long as they are being responsible drivers. When you are on the road, you must ensure you follow all road rules and be extra careful to avoid any vehicle trouble, including accidents.

6 Tips for Preventing Pedestrian Accidents

How To Avoid Pedestrian Accidents When Driving In Busy Areas from North Carolina Lifestyle Blogger Adventures of Frugal Mom

In order to avoid car accidents, you must be aware of your driving responsibilities. Be extra cautious when you are driving around pedestrians who are older or disabled and take additional time to cross the street.

It is essential to exercise your duty of care and consider the actions you make in potentially dangerous situations. Here are six tips on how to prevent pedestrian accidents, especially when you are driving in busy streets.

Slow Down When Around Pedestrians

A common contributing factor in car accidents involving pedestrians is excessive speeding.

  • You need quicker reaction time: Quick driving means quick reaction time. This means you have less time to hit the brakes to get out of the way. And less time to scan your surroundings for pedestrians.
  • Driving too fast increases driving errors: Just a second of distraction or lack of attention puts you and pedestrians at risk when driving at higher speeds because the car covers a greater distance.
  • Excessive speed increases the severity of an accident: An accident involving a pedestrian and a vehicle going at 20 mph has a minimal chance of being severe. However, a vehicle traveling at more than 30 mph increases the risks of car accidents by 45 percent. Likewise, an additional 10 mph increases the likelihood of car accidents leading to death at 85 percent.

Make Eye Contact with Pedestrians Who Are Waiting to Cross the Street

Eye contact allows you to identify the difference between a citizen standing on a street corner and a pedestrian who is waiting to cross.

Pedestrians look at drivers for confirmation. Most pedestrians look to make eye contact with a driver so they are confident they have been seen. When a pedestrian makes eye contact with you as you approach, or before you make a turn, then they are most likely intending to cross.

Be Vigilant for Pedestrians Before Making a Turn

Drivers may hit pedestrians when making a turn. Before turning at an intersection on a green light, it may not be easy to see pedestrians coming from behind since they could be in your car’s blind spot and on the edge of your peripheral vision.

  • Yield to pedestrians when making any turns: Drivers who typically turn left quickly, crossing traffic, are taking risks, but for a somewhat different reason. Most likely, the driver’s attention is focused on seeking big gaps in the imminent traffic. Thus, yield to pedestrians while committing to making turns on a green light.
  • Green vs. Red Light: A green light means “go.” Meanwhile, making a right turn on a red light means you must also look left for pedestrians intersecting your path. Cars next to you may be continuing straight ahead and may easily obscure your view of pedestrians in front of you.

Take Extra Precautions Around Schools

It is important to know that children are reluctant walkers in general, which makes them unprepared to be safe pedestrians.

  • Cognitive development in young children is still developing: the aptitude to accurately decipher direction, distance, and speed of vehicles by sound and sight requires a higher level of cognitive ability than most children have.
  • Motor skills are not fully developed: the motor skills of young children are not fully developed, and their heightened impulsiveness and reduced attention make it a bad mix when it comes to pedestrian safety.
  • Take extra care when children are around: Children, especially younger ones, cannot be depended on to act calmly, responsibly, and safely. Thus, it is your responsibility as a driver to adjust and take extra caution with children around pedestrian lanes.

The Big Rule: Don’t Drink and Drive

How To Avoid Pedestrian Accidents When Driving In Busy Areas from North Carolina Lifestyle Blogger Adventures of Frugal Mom

The most common cause of car accidents is driving under the influence or DUI. Around 14 percent of pedestrians who are involved in accidents are victims of drivers who consumed alcohol prior to driving.

  • Drunk driving is unsafe: We cannot stress this common knowledge enough… drunk driving is phenomenally unsafe both for the drunk driver and pedestrians who share the sidewalks and the road.
  • Impaired brain: Drivers who are under the influence of alcohol have impaired brain activity. Their coordination, judgment, motor skills, and response time are gravely reduced.
  • Costs of DUI: What drivers do not know are the real costs of DUI. When charged with DUI, you may have to face charges, go to court, deal with the Department of Motor Vehicles and loss of your license, and even get arrested. All that can be traumatic, but nothing can compare to the legal consequences and dreadful guilt of altering or ending the life of a harmless, innocent pedestrian.

Keeping these tips in mind can make you a better, safer driver and pedestrian. Not all accidents can be avoided. If you have been injured in a car accident or a pedestrian accident, consult with a qualified, professional personal injury lawyer.

If you’re thinking about the potential losses you might incur when involved in pedestrian accidents, click here to know what legal actions you may take.

 

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How To Avoid Pedestrian Accidents When Driving In Busy Areas from North Carolina Lifestyle Blogger Adventures of Frugal Mom

Vicki is a law writing enthusiast who’s had over 25 years of experience in her field. She enjoys sharing her experiences with those who want to learn more about the legal world. In her spare time, she spends quality time with her family and friends.[/su_box]

 

 

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