As a new school year approaches, so does the all-too-familiar sight of hurried students dashing through the crosswalks of busy streets in a frantic effort to avoid a first-hour tardy. But pedestrians only account for half of the responsible parties in any sort of pedestrian accident––the half-asleep drivers amid a morning commute share the fault as well.
It's prudent to review and recall basic road safety rules and guidelines every so often to increase overall road safety and decrease your likelihood of being involved in a crash. Here are some basic rules you might have forgotten that will help keep you and those around safe this fall:
For Pedestrians:
1. Walk on the left side of the road.
If you’re walking on a road without a sidewalk, be sure to stay on the left side of the road. This may seem counterintuitive, as a car driving towards you would be closer to you. But walking against the flow of oncoming traffic allows you to see the approaching cars. If you were walking on the right side of the road, you might not see an oncoming car until it was too late. All it takes is a slightly distracted driver coming from behind to cause a serious incident.
2. Take extra care when crossing in front of an obstructed or blind intersection.
It’s easy to forget that drivers’ views aren’t always clear, like when they are pulling out of a parking lot full of obstructing vehicles or coming around a blind turn. Even if you’re walking on a sidewalk, it’s important to take a second look at any vehicle entrance opportunity before traveling across the intersection. If you’re walking around a sharp bend that would prevent oncoming drivers from seeing you until the last second, try to move away from the sharpest part of the curve to give yourself––and the driver––more space to avoid a collision.
3. Avoid jaywalking––use the marked intersections and traffic lights as intended.
Pedestrians often choose to quickly walk or jog across an unmarked section of the road rather than take a few extra steps to wait at the appropriate intersection. But this behavior can be incredibly dangerous for both the pedestrian and the drivers approaching. Having to suddenly brake at an unexpected point in the road could cause other crashes or incidents, even if the pedestrian is unharmed. Traffic lights and crosswalks are often situated in locations with high foot traffic, so opt for a few extra steps and the safety for yourself and others by choosing to utilize the appropriate systems in place.
For Drivers:
1. Yield, yield, yield.
Pedestrians are unprotected and much more likely to be injured in any sort of collision with a vehicle. Therefore, it’s important that drivers always yield to them––even when the pedestrian is in the wrong. Minnesota Statue 169.21 insists that drivers yield to pedestrians in both marked and unmarked crosswalks and continue to wait until the pedestrian has fully exited the lane of traffic the driver is traveling within. While it can be frustrating to unexpectedly yield to a pedestrian disobeying traffic rules, it’s critical to remember the reality of the situation and your responsibility in pedestrian safety as a driver.
2. In conditions that impede sight, proceed with caution.
As obvious as it may seem, many drivers shrug off condition impairments like darkness, fog, and rain. But underestimating the increased driving difficulties brought on by the elements and light level can lead to unnecessary accidents and injuries. The National Safety Council reported that in 2022, only 18% of pedestrian fatalities occurred during the day, and the other 82% occurred during from dusk to dawn. In weather-impaired conditions like rain, fog, snow, or ice, it’s just as critical that drivers slow down and stay vigilant. Wintery conditions and heavy rainfall can lead to sliding or hydroplaning, so drivers should mindfully approach intersections at a safe speed to give themselves more time to stop if a pedestrian suddenly entered the roadway.
3. Choose to drive under the speed limit in urban areas and neighborhoods.
Many people have taken to putting up signage in their yards warning passing drivers to be mindful of children or animals in the area. But even when such cautions are not present, drivers should use discretion to determine whether driving the posted speed limit is appropriate or if they should slow down out of consideration for the possible pedestrians. Even though a neighborhood may feature a posted speed limit of 30 miles per hour, it is often best to drive more slowly to avoid surprises like a dog running off its leash or a child chasing a ball into the street. Likewise, in a city with tight corners, tall buildings, and parking meters lining the streets, it’s best to err on the side of caution and travel at a slower rate to avoid any unfortunate accidents.
Pedestrian safety requires committed, considerate behavior from both the pedestrians themselves and the drivers on the road. By following the agreed-upon road rules, including the ones previously mentioned, we can move towards more safe traveling conditions for all parties involved.
Contributed to by student intern Abby Chalmers.
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