According to the American College of Emergency Physicians, 69,000 pedestrians were injured in traffic accidents and almost 5,000 were killed in 2008. One-half of all pedestrian deaths for 2008 were alcohol-related. While vehicles can pose a major safety risk to pedestrians, there are steps that both drivers and pedestrians can take to reduce the chance of an accident.

Safety Tips for Drivers

Pedestrians do not always behave safely around busy roads or highways. However, in many cases it is actually driver inattention and not pedestrians’ that causes dangerous accidents. In many cases, pedestrians are in plain view but the motorists failed to look carefully around them. Following the tips below can help to minimize your chances of an accident with a pedestrian:

• Watch for crosswalks at intersections and across roads.
• Approach stop signs and red lights slowly, as there may be a pedestrian about to cross the road.
• When turning right after being stopped at an intersection, always be sure to look both left AND right for pedestrians who may be in the crosswalk before moving forward into the intersection.
• Do not honk at pedestrians who may be crossing when you have the right of way, unless an accident is imminent. Honking can startle a person and cause them to hesitate in the road. Instead, flash your lights.

Drivers need to pay close attention to their surroundings at all times in order to prevent major accidents.

Tips for Pedestrians

Pedestrians also need to take care to protect themselves from the risk of an accident. Consider the following safety tips to help you stay safe on the road:

• Wear brightly colored clothing, especially at night.
• Cross only at crosswalks and at intersections so that you are clearly visible to drivers.
• Before stepping out into the street on your right of way, watch for distracted or reckless drivers who may roll in front of you or run a red light.
• Always use the sidewalk if possible. If no sidewalk is available and you must walk in the road, walk on the left side so that you can see traffic coming.

Following these few simple steps can help drivers and pedestrians reduce their risk of a serious accident.

Contact Us

If you are involved in an accident with a pedestrian, it is important to make sure that you have the proper insurance to cover your accident. For information on affordable car insurance options available to you, contact the Chicago auto insurance agents of Insure on the Spot today at 888-972-SAVE.