Winter Pedestrian Safety Tips
Pedestrians are one of the most vulnerable populations on the roads based on how easy it is to get hurt or just plain not seen by drivers, especially in the wintertime. With the time changes of daylight savings, mornings are darker, and we lose sunlight earlier in the evening. This is why in the late fall, there is usually an increase in auto accidents that involve pedestrians.
Here are some tips to remain safe in the late fall/winter months:
1. Give yourself enough time to get where you are going, especially in the dark and inclement weather. When you rush, it may cause you to make bad decisions about your safety when crossing streets and walking in parking lots.
2. Make yourself visible! By wearing reflective clothing and/or carrying a flashlight when you are walking before dawn or after dark you decrease your risk of being overlooked by a driver.
3. Make sure you are prepared for the weather conditions. Proper clothing and footwear will protect you from the elements.
4. Be sure to keep your head up and make sure you are always aware of your surroundings. Make eye contact with drivers that are stopped at intersections prior to completing a crossing.
5. Walk on sidewalks or other walkways whenever possible. If sidewalks are not available be sure to walk facing traffic so you are able to clearly see what is coming at you and you can move if necessary.
6. Stick to the safest path! Avoid walking over snow/ice whenever possible, even if that is the shortest route. If you see an area that looks like it could be icy, test it first. If necessary, take short shuffling steps to get across icy patches.
7. Make sure to pay attention! Texting or talking on your phone while walking causes distractions that can at times be deadly. Wearing headphones can prevent you from hearing traffic or other hazards.
8. Last, but certainly not least, NEVER ASSUME THAT CARS WILL FOLLOW ALL TRAFFIC LAWS! We are all out in the community every day and know that not all drivers follow the laws. You must be responsible for yourself as a pedestrian.
It’s important for us all to do our part to help keep our communities safe. By being a responsible pedestrian and taking precautions, you are doing your part to make our roads safer for you and the drivers, especially in the winter weather
Good tips. I would like to add one that is usually overlooked but has an enormous impact on pedestrians and drivers...the different positions of the sun with the resulting sun glare affecting visibility when trying to cross the street at an intersection. Where the sun is in the sky is different in the winter and, based on other environmental features, can make seeing traffic signals or pedestrians much more difficult, if not impossible, at certain times of the day. So, when teaching street crossing it is also important to consider this factor in the positioning of the trainee at the corner and determining best place to cross.