On a typical day, pedestrians share the roads with drivers and bikers and use designated traffic signals to safely get around. Pedestrians face a unique risk as they are commuting, a risk that involves vehicles that weigh on average, around 4,156 pounds. In the summer, this risk may increase due to various factors. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 7,000 pedestrians were killed in crashes involving motor vehicles in 2020. That equates to about one death every 75 minutes. Further, the CDC reports that one in six people who died in crashes in 2020 were pedestrians.
Pedestrian accidents tend to increase in the summer, as more people find themselves out walking to enjoy the nicer weather. In addition, drivers and pedestrians alike may find that there is increased construction occurring during the summer, which may force pedestrians to maneuver away from sidewalks and closer to oncoming traffic. As summer kicks off, it is important to think ahead about steps pedestrians can take to keep themselves as safe as possible.
How Can Pedestrians Stay Safe?
As a pedestrian, it is important to take certain steps to ensure your safety. This includes wearing a reflective vest when walking at night to increase visibility, crossing streets at designated crosswalks, walking on a sidewalk or path instead of the road, avoiding the use of electronic devices including cell phones and earbuds, and avoiding walking if under the influence of alcohol or drugs. If you are injured in a pedestrian
accident, it is important to seek any medical attention that may be needed. If possible, it is also important to get the contact information and insurance information of the driver involved in the crash and to get contact information from any witnesses.