Safety Tips to Avoid Pedestrian Accidents in Mississippi

Safety Tips to Avoid Pedestrian Accidents in Mississippi

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Pedestrian accidents are among the most dangerous types of traffic collisions. While they are less common than accidents solely involving vehicles, they are more likely to result in severe or fatal injuries. It’s crucial that both drivers and pedestrians do what they can to decrease accident rates and make the roads as safe as possible.

Have you been injured in a pedestrian accident in Biloxi? It’s time to talk to the team at Reeves & Mestayer and find out if you’re entitled to compensation. Call 1-855-558-2977 to set up a consultation with our team now.

Best Practices for Infrastructure

A lot of accident prevention tips come down to safe infrastructure. Unfortunately, some cities simply aren’t walkable. In these areas, even when pedestrians and drivers are as careful as possible, accidents are inevitable. Cities have an obligation to make pedestrian-friendly infrastructure, including:

  • Designated crosswalks with walk/don’t walk signals that give pedestrians plenty of time to cross
  • Accessible and well-maintained sidewalks that accommodate wheelchairs and strollers
  • Well-lit walkways that keep pedestrians visible at all hours
  • Traffic calming measures, such as speed bumps and pedestrian islands

Making Yourself Visible

Pedestrians have an obligation to make themselves as visible as possible, especially while crossing the street. Yes, drivers are legally required to yield to pedestrians in most situations—but being right doesn’t help much when you’re hit by a car because they didn’t see you. If you know you’ll be walking around at night, try to wear reflective clothing. If that’s not an option, keep a few reflective stickers on hand that you can stick to your clothes while outside. These are often enough to catch drivers’ attention and alert them to your presence.

It’s often easier for pedestrians to stay visible at intersections, as these areas are usually more well-lit and designed for pedestrian safety. Rather than crossing in the middle of the street, go to the next designated crosswalk. Even if it takes a few more seconds, it’s worth your safety.

If you plan on walking very late at night, you may want to go one step further to keep yourself visible. A small flashlight can protect you from careless drivers.

Interacting With Drivers and Following Road Rules to Avoid Collisions

One technique that many pedestrians rely on involves making contact with drivers before crossing the street. By locking in drivers and making eye contact, you can verify that they see you and plan on stopping. This is just a quick visual confirmation that can literally save your life.

Whether you’re driving or walking, it’s important to move in a way that is predictable. If you’re a pedestrian, cross only at crosswalks and avoid darting out in front of vehicles. Follow the traffic lights and signs, even if that means you have to wait for another light cycle. For drivers, being predictable means driving at or below the speed limit, stopping at stop signs and red lights, and watching out for pedestrians.

Public Safety and Awareness

While individuals can do a lot to protect themselves from accidents and stay safe, change also has to happen at a societal level. Educational campaigns highlighting the importance of pedestrian safety and the heightened risks they face can make drivers think twice about speeding through neighborhoods and pedestrian-friendly areas. Getting people more involved in local legislature and city planning can also lead to better infrastructure.

It’s also important to address pedestrian safety in driving classes. While driving courses do cover a driver’s legal responsibility to pedestrians, there’s a good chance that instructors could do more to drive home the point. By focusing on pedestrian safety with our newest drivers, we can create an entire generation of thoughtful and careful drivers.

Encourage others in your community to report unsafe road and sidewalk conditions to the local authorities. If a sidewalk is too broken to be navigable for those with strollers or wheelchairs, inadequate lighting keeps pedestrians in the dark, or the same area has accidents every week, people should absolutely report that.

Injured in a Pedestrian Crash? Call Reeves & Mestayer

If you or someone you love has been hurt in a pedestrian accident, don’t wait any longer to talk to a pedestrian accident attorney. We’ll help you fight for compensation. Reach out online or call us at 1-855-558-2977 to get started.