How to Prevent Car Accidents & Pedestrian Injuries

Pedestrian Safety Tips & Safe Driving Tips for Everyone Be Safe & Be Seen!

Did you know that more than 5,000 pedestrians die each year in the United States because they are hit by motor vehicles or bicycles? To be safe when sharing sidewalks and streets, it's important to be aware of your surroundings. By taking simple precautions, you can prevent injuries and possible death.

Three of the most common accidents involving vehicles and pedestrians are caused when pedestrians make the following mistakes:

1) Cross a road not at the intersection (jaywalking).

2) Walk in the road, not the side of road.

3) Walk in the road in the same direction as moving vehicles.

To help prevent these accidents, follow these simple Pedestrian Safety Tips:

• BE SEEN: Avoid common traffic dangers.

• Wait for drivers to stop and make eye contact before crossing a street. Don't assume they see you.

• Cross at a corner or marked walkway, following traffic signals.

• Sidewalks obviously are safer than roads, but watch for driveway traffic.

• If there's no sidewalk, walk on the left side of the road, facing traffic.

• Bicyclists should ride with the flow of traffic, preferably in marked lanes.

• Look left-right-left before crossing any street, and keep looking until across.

• Don't start crossing if a red signal is blinking.

• When crossing on a green light, watch in all directions for turning cars.

• Put a safety flag on a wheelchair, motorized cart or stroller for visibility.

Sharing public spaces with vehicle traffic takes extra care and attention by everyone. When everyone is courteous and cautious, it's safe to get around on foot, by bike, with skates, in wheelchairs or even via scooters. We all need to avoid risky situations, and when drivers follow these safety tips we all get where we're going safely!

• BE SAFE: Slow down, look, anticipate.

• Careful driving starts when you turn the ignition key.

• Driveways and parking areas are hazardous. Pull out slowly, watching on all sides for pedestrians or any passers-by.

• In public garages, drive-through businesses and commercial lots, watch out for those on foot or two wheels. Look in each direction, especially when they are crossing sidewalks and marked paths.

• Before turning right on red lights, drivers must stop fully.

• Make sure no pedestrian, jogger, bicyclist or wheelchair user is crossing or waiting to cross. They have the right of way.

• Motorists turning left on green lights also must yield to anyone crossing.

Tags: accidents, bicycles, bicyclists, extra care, eye contact, motor vehicles, pedestrians, sidewalk, sidewalks, traffic signals, walkway