Pedestrian accidents have increased very much. The accidents have left many dead while others severely injured and unable to work or do things for themselves. To prevent any more pedestrian accidents, it is important to know their causes which include;
Failing to Yield Right of Way
All pedestrians have the right of way. Right of way is the legal right of every pedestrian or motorist to proceed with precedence in a certain location or situation. Suppose a traffic signal guides a pedestrian to go ahead onto the crosswalk. In that case, the motorist must allow the pedestrian to cross the road before driving through the intersection or crosswalk area. A pedestrian still has the right of way if they do not notice your vehicle and begin crossing the street against the light. Drivers who are impatient end up failing to yield right of way for the pedestrian, causing accidents that could have been prevented.
If a pedestrian does not see your vehicle and starts crossing the street against the light, that pedestrian still has the right of way. Impatient drivers who do not look out for pedestrians or try to drive around pedestrians walking in crosswalks cause many pedestrian accidents.
Distracted Drivers
Phones have become a distracting menace in society. To avoid distractions, drivers should switch off their phones because texting or talking on cell phones while driving puts pedestrians at risk and other drivers at risk. Nevertheless, pedestrians are to blame, too, because some of them focus on their phones, chatting and making calls that they hardly focus on the road or the traffic signs. They end up getting hit by vehicles.
Impaired Drivers
Drivers who operate their vehicles while intoxicated may be a danger to everyone on the road, especially pedestrians. Most pedestrians on the road have been hit by a driver who was under the influence of alcohol. Alcohol gives them impaired vision, and they may drive straight into a group of pedestrians and severely injure them. Some pedestrians love walking while drinking or going for a walk while they are heavily intoxicated, thus affecting their vision. They may not see an oncoming vehicle and end up causing an accident. Pedestrians walking in traffic at night should remain conscious of impaired drivers.
Bad Weather
During rainy and cold seasons, roads tend to be slippery, thus making it difficult for a vehicle to stop in time to let a pedestrian pass. The vehicle may end up causing an accident. Dangerous walking conditions may make a pedestrian fall into the path of an unsuspecting motorist. In addition, rainwater can cause cars to skid into crosswalks, whereas ice can make cars jump the curb.
Wearing Dark Clothes at Night
Pedestrian accidents are more rampant at night than during the day. Drivers tend not to see the pedestrians on the streets, especially if they are in black attires that make them blend into the darkness. It is advisable to wear white or bright clothes when you go out at night as this makes you visible to the drivers. Use a flashlight while crossing a street.