Pedestrian Safety Part II: Drivers and Pedestrians share responsibility

It’s Pedestrian Safety month and last week we discussed the rights that pedestrians have. This week we are going to look at how it is up to both drivers and pedestrians to help prevent tragedies.

Drivers:  Please follow these tips from pedbikeinfo.org so you can minimize the risk of hitting a pedestrian.

Watch for pedestrians at all times:

• Continuously scan ahead and along the sides of roads for possible pedestrians. It is possible that they may not see you and dart into the road. Be alert and prepared for anything.
• Before turning, look in every direction for pedestrians who could be crossing or coming up the road.
• Ditch the distractions while driving. This includes using your cell phone, messing with the radio and even eating.
• Don’t drive under the influence of alcohol and drugs. If you take prescription medication that affect how you drive, it is best to avoid getting behind the wheel.
• Make sure you can see at all times by keeping your windows and windshield clear and your headlights on—  especially when driving at night.

At crosswalks pedestrians have the right of way:

• Yield to pedestrians at crosswalks, even if they aren’t marked, and when turning into an intersection.
• Don’t block or park on crosswalks.

Be Patient:

• Drive the speed limit and avoid aggressive driving behaviors such as passing a vehicle that is already stopped for pedestrians.
• Stop at all STOP signs
• If children are playing along the street or if there are older pedestrians in the area, use extra caution. They may not see you.
• Always be prepared to stop.

Pedestrians: You are vulnerable to serious injury if you are struck by a vehicle. Be responsible for your safety and follow these tips to ensure you stay safe:

• When possible, cross the street at marked crosswalks or intersections and obey the WALK/DON’T WALK signs.
• Watch for vehicles that may be turning and make sure the driver sees you.
• Don’t assume all motorists will stop. Look across all lanes that you are attempting to cross and clear each lane before proceeding.
• Don’t walk distracted. Wearing headphones and talking while crossing the street can be dangerous.
• Be bright. Be seen. Wear bright or light-colored clothing and reflective materials — even in the daytime.
• Carry a flashlight and cross streets in well-lit areas at night.
• Before crossing, make sure you are clear of busses, bushes, parked vehicles and other obstacles so you can be seen by drivers.
• Pedestrians should walk on the sidewalk. If no sidewalk is present, walk facing traffic as far away from moving vehicles as possible.
• Don’t assume the driver can see you. Make eye contact with the driver and don’t cross until you are sure they have seen you.
• When crossing the street, look left, right and left again before crossing the street, even if the pedestrian signals tell you it’s okay to cross.
• When walking behind parked vehicles, use your eyes and ears to make sure you stay safe. If the backup lights are on, or if you hear the engine running, avoid walking behind the vehicle.

At some point we are all pedestrians, and by practicing patience and being alert, we can all help avoid pedestrian-related fatalities.  Next week we will discuss the increasing dangers of parking garages and lots.

Pedestrian Safety Month Part 1: Pedestrians’ rights

The month of June is Pedestrian Safety Month.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, (NHTSA) 5,376 pedestrians were killed in 2015.  At some point, we are all pedestrians. Whether you are simply walking around your neighborhood, through a parking lot or to the grocery store, you are a pedestrian. Whether they are on foot or in a vehicle, good safety habits can help protect you and those around you.

The Public Health Law Center and the Kansas Health Foundation recently put out an informative report entitled Using Kansas Roads & Sidewalks for Active Transportation.

The report is helpful for understanding the laws surrounding pedestrian, bicycle and vehicle transportation as they interact with each other.

While motorists should always use caution and watch out for pedestrians, those traveling on foot have safety responsibilities as well:

•  Pedestrians must always exercise care for their own safety even when they have the right-of-way.
• Pedestrians who begin to cross a road when no vehicles are present and traffic-control signals are not in place have the right to continue to cross the entire road and have approaching vehicles stop or slow down to yield the pedestrian’s right-of-way at all marked crosswalks or intersections with unmarked crosswalks.
• Pedestrians are prohibited from suddenly leaving a curb or other place of safety. Pedestrians are also prohibited from walking or running into the path of a vehicle which is so close that it is impossible for the driver to stop.
  
• Blind pedestrians carrying a clearly visible white cane or accompanied by a guide dog have the right of-way before other traffic at all places, including all crosswalks and intersections and the middle of the road.
  
• Pedestrians are prohibited from crossing outside of a marked crosswalk between intersections where traffic-control signals are in operation.
  
• Pedestrians crossing a road at any point other than within a marked crosswalk or an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection are required to yield the right-of-way to all vehicles on the road.
  
• Pedestrians are prohibited from crossing an intersection diagonally — unless authorized and as instructed by official traffic-control devices.
  
• Pedestrians are required to travel on the right half of crosswalks, when practicable.
  
• Pedestrians have the right-of-way before any vehicle on sidewalks.
  
• Pedestrians must use sidewalks rather than a roadway where a sidewalk is provided and usable.
  
• Pedestrians traveling on the road because of no available and usable sidewalk must travel on the shoulder, as far as practicable from the edge of the roadway— and, if on a two-way roadway, must walk only on the left side of the roadway.
  
• Pedestrians traveling on a roadway are required to yield the right-of-way to all vehicles on the road.Pedestrians are prohibited from entering or traveling on any railroad property (including a railroad track, rail, or bridge) without permission. Anyone who does so is trespassing and is guilty of a misdemeanor.

For more information on other laws surrounding pedestrians, bicycles and vehicles check out the rest of the report.

Join us next week when we discuss how drivers in vehicles and pedestrians should work together to keep each other safe.