Part of defensive driving is remembering you share the road with others. This includes pedestrians, who are vulnerable to vehicles and other hazards drivers may not think about. In 2024, drivers struck and killed 7,148 pedestrians, according to the Governor’s Highway Safety Association. Many of these incidents could have been prevented.
Here are some guidelines to help the pedestrians you share the road with stay safe.
Use extra caution in difficult-to-see conditions. Especially in the fall and winter, there is less sunlight. Days are shorter and rain, snow, and fog are more common. These make it much harder to see pedestrians, especially if they are wearing dark clothing.
Slow down and prepare to stop when nearing a crosswalk. Drivers are required to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks, but it’s not always easy to see someone approaching on foot. Make sure you slow down and look carefully when approaching one.
Always yield to pedestrians, even if there is no crosswalk. In most states, pedestrians have the right of way, even if they aren’t using a designated crosswalk.
Stop at the stop line. The stop lines at intersections are there to give pedestrians and other road users space to cross or turn. Stop fully at the line, then inch forward and look carefully for pedestrians and bikes as you prepare to enter the intersection.
Slow down! Pay attention to speed limits, especially in school zones and other areas with lots of foot traffic, and reduce your speed in parking lots. Reducing your speed temporarily by a few miles per hour costs you barely any time, and could save a life.
Follow directions given by crossing guards, flaggers, or others directing traffic in areas such as school zones or construction zones. Flaggers and others are there for your safety as much as theirs. More drivers and passengers die in work zones than workers do!
Back up carefully. Do thorough check and use your mirrors and backup cameras, as well as extreme caution, when backing up. Look in all directions, go slow, and don’t be afraid to stop if you can’t see what is around you.
Staying aware and slowing down in hazardous situations are low-cost ways that yield huge benefits. With just a few changes in our driving habits, we can create safer roads for drivers, bikes, and pedestrians.
