As a pedestrian, you are vulnerable. There are no protections from a vehicle. There are no safety devices to keep you safe in an accident. You have to be proactive. You need to look out for yourself and do the right things when on foot.
There are many laws about what you can and cannot do as a pedestrian. There are just as many, if not more, laws about how vehicles should interact with you on the roads. The Arizona Department of Transportation notes that almost half of pedestrian accidents when the vehicle is going only 30 miles per hour are fatal.
That’s reason enough to take safety precautions.
Know the right of way
Know when you have the legal right to cross the street. Vehicles should stop if you are crossing at an intersection, or in or out of a crosswalk. However, you still need to be cautious. Watch out for cars turning left or right, when drivers may not see you in the crosswalk.
Obey pedestrian signals
Pedestrian signals are there for your protection. Obey them. If the countdown timer is running down, do not begin crossing the street. If you are in the street already, cross promptly.
Other rules
If a sidewalk is available, you must use it. You cannot walk on the roadway. You also should never step into the road in front of a vehicle that will not have time to stop. Finally, always yield the right of way to vehicles when crossing outside a marked crosswalk at an area that is not an intersection.
These tips can help you avoid an accident and perhaps save your life.
