As a pedestrian, it’s your goal to make it from point A to point B without incident. Since you’ve never had an issue with this in the past, you assume that things will always be that way in the future.
But don’t let that put you to sleep. You could easily find yourself injured in a pedestrian-car accident.
Here are just a few of the many things you should worry about as a pedestrian:
- Distracted driving: For example, you’re crossing the road at a crosswalk, so you assume that every driver in the area sees you. However, if someone is looking at their phone or taking a drink of coffee, they may overlook you. And if that happens, there’s a much greater chance of a collision.
- Reckless driving: You expect drivers to follow the rules of the road at all times, but you know this doesn’t always happen. Reckless driving comes in many forms, such as excessive speeding, failure to yield to pedestrians at a crosswalk and neglecting to stop at a traffic light or stop sign. All of these forms of reckless driving put others on the road at risk.
- Confusion: If you’re confused about whether or not you should cross the road, it’s best to take a step back and assess the situation. This holds true even if things look clear and/or you’re in a hurry. Maybe you’re crossing the road at an intersection where there’s no crosswalk or traffic signal. This can confuse you at first, so assess the situation before you do anything else.
You should never become too comfortable as a pedestrian. Doing so will lull you to sleep, making you feel like you’re safe no matter what you do.
It’s best to be hyper-focused on the task at hand, as this allows you to take steps to avoid trouble.
Should you find yourself in the unfortunate situation of dealing with the aftermath of an accident, focus your immediate attention on your health and receiving the necessary treatment for your injuries. This will lead you toward a better grip on the future, as well as positioning you to protect your legal rights.
