Pedestrians are some of the most at-risk individual on or around the roads. They range in age from small children to the elderly, and they have little to no protection in the case of a collision involving a motor vehicle.
In the last 12 months, there have been 1,105 pedestrian accidents in Virginia. Out of those, 35 people have died this year (to date). Hundreds of people are injured and killed on or near the roads, but there are steps that people can take to stop these incidents from happening.
How can you be safer around the roads?
If you’re a pedestrian, you do have a responsibility to act safely around motor vehicles and roadways. Use crosswalks whenever you can, signal your intention to cross by waving and making eye contact, and always check both ways before you cross the street.
If you wear light or bright colors, you’ll stand out more. Also, remember not to “pop out” from behind parked vehicles. Try to keep yourself visible as you approach a roadway, so drivers have more time to see you.
What can drivers do to prevent pedestrian collisions?
The best thing that drivers can do to prevent collisions is to pay close attention to what they’re doing. They should put down their distractions and focus on the road. They also should:
- Obey the speed limit
- Stop before crosswalks
- Slow down in residential areas
- Be prepared to stop suddenly when there are pedestrians in the vicinity
If a driver is planning to allow someone to cross, they should wave, make eye contact or flash their lights to let the pedestrian know that they will wait for them to cross the road.
What can you do if you or someone you know are hit by a driver?
If you are hit by someone, call 911 right away for medical care. Once you’re stable, you may be able to pursue compensation from the at-fault driver who caused your injuries. Their insurance coverage may help you cover your lost wages, medical bills, physical therapy costs and other financial losses you have as a result of these injuries.