How to keep pedestrians safe
Guest contributor: Tom Everson Executive Director of Keep Kids Alive Drive 25 – A Non-Profit “For Action” Organization
Whether we are driving or walking, pedestrian safety boils down to one word - behaviors. Our behaviors make all the difference when it comes to creating roadway and roadside environments that contribute to the safety of us all.
As a driver, remember to always:
- Focus solely at the task at hand, driving.
Talking on mobile devices can impact our scanning ability for other road users, pedestrians, cyclists and children at play. Texting literally takes our eyes completely off the road for seconds at a time, creating even greater hazards for pedestrians. No one wants to be the person to hit someone else, so take care, be aware, drive with care on every trip, no matter the distance.
- Avoid other distractions.
This is anything that takes your focus off of driving, including eating, personal grooming, pets on your lap, reaching for things, etc.
- Stop! Take 3 To See®.
At every stop sign and traffic light come to a complete stop, look left, look right and look left again. Make sure the intersection is completely clear of pedestrians and other motorists before proceeding.
- Observe posted speed limits.
This is especially important in residential, school, and park zones where pedestrians and children at play are part of the landscape. The AAA Foundation on Traffic Safety reports that speeders are three times more likely to be involved in a crash. Managing our speed behind the wheel is a behavior that we each can commit to control.
Practice these behaviors. We become good, even expert, only by practicing behaviors over and over again until these become second nature.
For more on motorist and pedestrian safety, please visit www.kkad25.org.
