Making a Safer Road for Pedestrians: What Should Be Done?
It is common knowledge that living in a big city can be pretty fast-paced. These areas are packed with people who are often busy. Everyone is always going somewhere. And the roads and sidewalks are typically filled with people. This population density makes urban areas a breeding ground for almost any activity.
Of course, cities and metropolises have transportation systems that ensure the public’s needs for travel. Despite this, it can be expected that highly urbanized areas will have pedestrians. These citizens travel on foot, often on sidewalks and crosswalks.
Pedestrians Are Constantly in Danger
It may not seem like it, but being a pedestrian can still be dangerous. Streets and roads are full of vehicular activity. It is estimated that around 1.3 million people lose their lives each year due to traffic accidents. Pedestrians can easily be caught in the middle of these accidents. In 2017, approximately 137,000 pedestrians suffered injuries from car-related incidents.
While pedestrians are in danger, there is always something that can be done to ensure their safety. Of course, one can never go wrong consulting a personal injury lawyer when these incidents happen. But besides that, there are many preventive measures that we can take to strengthen pedestrian safety in urban areas.
Taking Action
Becoming a Safe Driver
The best way to protect pedestrians is in the hands of drivers and motorists. More than half of traffic accident casualties involve vulnerable road users. Drivers who uphold safe and defensive driving can significantly make the streets safer.
This means that drivers should take steps towards becoming safe drivers. For one, they should follow driving laws and road regulations. There are reasons why these rules are put in place. And road safety is one of them.
Driving requires intense focus. Distracted driving is one of the biggest reasons for road accidents. Being distracted while operating a motor vehicle can seriously endanger the lives of passengers, pedestrians, and other drivers nearby. In addition, no one should drive intoxicated, and reckless driving should also be eliminated.
Drivers may now know it, but avoiding bad driving habits can save peoples’ lives, including their own. Everyone should follow these laws and regulations not because they want to avoid a ticket but because they want the roads to be safer for every user.
Being a Responsible Pedestrian
There are also times when pedestrians have control over their safety. They should recognize that anything can happen when they are on a sidewalk and be cautious about their safety when outside. This means pedestrians should always be aware of their surroundings when using the sidewalks.
Similar to drivers, pedestrians must follow specific rules for their safety. This includes crossing the road in designated crosswalks and pedestrian lanes along the street. These crosswalks are intended for pedestrians who need to cross the street.
Crossing a street at specific points can be dangerous. This is why crosswalks are created. They allow drivers to expect pedestrians, prompting them to slow down. For roads that are too wide, footbridges are often built to ensure pedestrians cross safely.
Pedestrians should also practice safe habits when crossing the roads. They should not hasten when traveling. Apart from that, they should also ensure that no vehicles are speeding when they strike. If cars come towards them as they cross, they should communicate with the driver through hand gestures.
They should not cross roads suddenly and without warning. This can spook drivers, prompting them to lose control of their vehicles and even disrupting the flow of traffic.
Not crossing the road at designated crosswalks is essentially jaywalking. This is a low-level offense in most cities but is still subject to fines. Doing this puts the lives of pedestrians and drivers in danger.
Creating a Friendly Environment for Pedestrians
Some roads are also not built with pedestrians in mind. These are the roads that are not essentially friendly for pedestrian use. This includes roads with no crosswalks or footbridges, narrow or non-existent sidewalks, and dim lighting.
These conditions make it easier for pedestrians to be in accidents. For this reason, local governments and city services should study how they can improve pedestrians’ environment. Developing streets for both drivers and pedestrians ensures the safety of both groups of road users.
Road safety begins with our mentality to keep everyone else safe. No matter how we use the roads, we have a hand in making them secure. If we keep our streets safe, we can ensure that everyone goes home safe and sound.
