While driving, you share the roadways with a wide range of people, including people on foot, cyclists, motorcyclists, trucks, and buses.
Although pedestrians are not drivers, they do share road space when strolling down or crossing a roadway. When a pedestrian collides with a vehicle, the pedestrian always loses, therefore, you need to be extra cautious and observant at crosswalks and crossings. Accidents can have terrible consequences for both the driver and the pedestrian.
While it is true that all vehicles should slow down, yield to pedestrians, check for pedestrians while turning, and follow traffic lights, we continue to see many drivers in a hurry breaking these rules.
Sharing The Road with Pedestrians
Scanning at crosswalks and crossings and pay attention in school zones and playgrounds, especially when driving through school and playground zones, pay close attention. Smaller children are more difficult to see and predict than adults.
Being cautious in school zones is also very important.
In residential neighborhoods, keep an eye out for children and others who may act in unexpected ways. Remember that a ball or a hockey net can indicate that children are nearby.
Keep an eye out for disabled pedestrians, and be especially cautious if you spot someone who is blind; they may be accompanied by a guiding dog or use a white cane. Avoid revving your engine or honking your horn so that you won’t frighten them or their dog.
Moreover, controlling the speed and the amount of space available on the road is also very important. When you observe people who may cross your route, slow down and give them plenty of room to pass.
Crossings On the Pathway for Pedestrians
Pedestrian crossings can be identified in a variety of ways, including with no markings at all. White lines painted on the road, flashing yellow overhead lights, walk and stop lights on traffic signal poles, and/or a white sign with black walking figures designating the crosswalk on each side of the road are all used to identify crossings.
However, these indications are not always available; pedestrians have the right of way even if there are no walk lights, painted lines, or signs at an unmarked crossing. This is where your driving ethics come in.
If a pedestrian approaches your half of the road at a marked crosswalk, you must stop. If there is no marked crosswalk at a crossing, pedestrians have the right of way as they approach your half of the road.
Tips For You as A Driver
- Keep your eyes on the road. Always turn off your phone while driving.
- When you reach intersections and at transit stops, be prepared to yield to pedestrians; keep an eye out for them at junctions, especially while turning left or right.
- Expect the unexpected, even if you’re in the middle of the block, because pedestrians may not be crossing in a crosswalk. A vehicle halting in the lane next to you could be yielding to a person crossing the road.
- If a car stops in front of you or the lane next to you, they may be yielding to a pedestrian.
- Put your phone down and don’t drive while distracted.
- Pedestrians on the road should be given priority.
- Create eye contact with them.
- Follow all traffic signals.
See-Think-Do Skills
The best approach to avoid accidents is to make sure the place you’re moving into is empty. Use your see-think-do skills to safely share the road with others.
Seeing
Make use of your ability to observe. Look for risks by scanning the junction from left to right and then back to left.
Thinking
When another road user approaches the space you planned to use, you must assess the risk and select the safest option.
It’s also crucial to understand the regulations of right-of-way. Other road users, on the other hand, make mistakes and do unexpected things. It is not always straightforward to determine who has the right of way. Always be ready to grant the right-of-way whenever in doubt.
Doing
- Controlling Speed: Maintain a safe speed. You’ll have more time to halt if you need to.
- Steering: To retain effective steering control, keep both hands on the outside of the steering wheel.
- Space Margins: There will be fewer space disputes if you preserve a safe distance from other road users. If others begin to move into your space, you will have enough room to halt or turn around.
Communication: Make sure other road users are aware of your actions so they can react quickly. Keep an eye out for other road users who may wish to communicate.
