Take time to smell the flowers this April 3 as you celebrate National Walk to Work Day. You can help yourself get heart healthy and take insights you might otherwise ignore while driving, but remember: safety first. Sharing the road with motorists can place pedestrians at risk – the Federal Highway Administration reports a pedestrian is either injured or killed every seven minutes in a car accident – so take caution to reduce your vulnerability while stretching your legs. Following a few simple tips will help.
If you or a loved one suffered injuries in a pedestrian-vehicle accident, contact our experienced Houston personal injury lawyers today. We will evaluate your case and help you obtain compensation for your injuries.
Call The Krist Law Firm, P.C. at (281) 283-8500.
Stand Out from the Crowd
Wear brightly colored clothing so drivers can see you. You should never blend into the background when taking a stroll along a busy road. Make yourself visible to drivers at all times. This is especially important if you walk in low light since, according to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, one in three pedestrian fatalities occurs between 8 p.m. and 11:59 p.m. In fact, make certain your clothing is reflective if your trek will occur after sunset even as you stay in well-lit areas as much as possible.
Look and Listen
If you really want to enjoy your walk, then get back to basics by putting down your smartphone. It can be a major distraction that causes you to take your eyes off the road. This is just as dangerous when walking as it is while driving, so that text message can wait. In addition, forget the music and audiobook; you should listen to everything around you rather than block it out with headphones. Take a digital break rather than comprise your sight and hearing on National Walk to Work Day because staying alert is imperative.
Watch Your Step
Obey traffic signs, signals, and rules. Only cross in the crosswalk or at least in good lighting if there is no crosswalk. Moreover, never assume a driver will give you the right of way simply because you are a pedestrian, so watch every vehicle carefully and even try to make eye contact with the person behind the wheel. Most importantly, stay on the sidewalk when possible and if this is not possible, then walk on the far side of the road facing traffic so motorists see you.
Stay Sober
It may seem like common sense, but walking while intoxicated is just as dangerous as driving while intoxicated. Remember, alcohol dulls your reflexes and impairs decision-making. A 2017 study by the Governors Highway Association makes that clear: there were an estimated 6,000 pedestrian fatalities in 2016 and approximately 34 percent of those individuals had a blood alcohol content of either .08 or higher. That exceeds the legal blood alcohol content level for drivers and the same should hold true for pedestrians.
Contact Houston Pedestrian Accident Lawyers for Help
You should celebrate National Walk to Work Day, but be certain to stay safe. These tips can make all the difference. However, The Krist Law Firm, P.C. can help you if anything goes awry. We are Houston pedestrian accident lawyers and we can help you recover compensation if you are hurt because of someone else’s negligence or recklessness. Call us at (281) 283-8500 to schedule a free consultation.