Safety Tips for Sharing the Street with Pedestrians

Learn how you can safely share the road with pedestrians.

An auto accident involving a pedestrian can be devastating for all the parties involved.  That’s why it’s so important to be a safe and responsible driver.  To ensure that you aren’t putting anyone at risk, take these steps to safely share the road with pedestrians.

Approach Crosswalks Cautiously

When you are approaching a crosswalk, you should take care to reduce your speed.  Even if you do not see a pedestrian waiting to cross, it’s important to slow down in case a pedestrian suddenly darts out.  If you do see a pedestrian waiting, make sure you give them the right-of-way and wait until they cross completely before you drive past.  Finally, be aware that all intersections (even if not explicitly marked) are technically crosswalks and that all the same rules still apply.

Navigate Parking Lots Carefully

Because parking lots are spaces with a high concentration of both cars and pedestrians, many pedestrian related traffic accidents happen in these locations.  The best way to avoid an accident is by being hyper-vigilant about your surroundings, reducing your speed, and always giving pedestrians the right-of-way.  Simply being more aware of the risks should be enough to prevent any major accidents.

Avoid Driving while Distracted

Distracted driving placed pedestrians, other drivers, and yourself at risk.  That’s why you should never multi-task as you drive.  Avoid playing with your phone, fiddling with the radio, eating, or doing another activity that takes your attention away from the road.  Additionally, if you are experiencing a situation that makes it difficult to focus on your driving, then you should pull over for the safety of everyone.

Try out these suggestions to safely share the road with pedestrians.  Want another way to stay safe while on the road?   Then make sure you have the proper auto insurance protections in place.  To get the right coverage to address your needs, contact the experts at Mike Leonard Insurance Agency.  To find the right policies to meet your needs, contact the experts at Mike Leonard Insurance Agency.  Our dedicated team is eager to find you the right coverage from one of our many carriers including: Kemper, MetLife, Travelers, The Hartford, Safeco Insurance, Progressive, and American Strategic Insurance.  Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.