Page 10 - AAA Every Day – AAA Hudson Valley – March/April 2022

SAFETY ZONE
Pedestrian Safety
A Growing Problem
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 6,205 pedestrians were killed and an estimated 76,000 were injured in traffic crashes in 2019 in the U.S. Pedestrian fatalities have jumped more than 45% in the last decade. The human body cannot handle any impact with a 4,000-pound vehicle.
Hopefully, these statistics don’t discourage walking since we all could benefit from increased activity and exercise. Simply put, as drivers, we must do a better
job sharing the roadway. More money is being spent on lighting, crosswalks and pedestrian signals, but that is only part of the answer. Education and awareness need a serious upgrade as well.
Motor vehicle law puts most of the responsibility on drivers. This is understandable since with power, comes responsibility. Drivers need to expect unpredictable pedestrians. Speed kills: A pedestrian hit at 42 mph
has twice the fatality rate of a pedestrian hit at 32 mph. Please follow the posted speed limits. It is way too easy to “go with the flow” when following a traffic pattern and only concern ourselves with the vehicle directly ahead. Following the posted speed limits in combination with looking and scanning far and wide will cut down on the surprises. We all need to put down that cup of coffee and the cell phone and just drive.
No matter who is responsible, the life lost is the pedestrian. Pedestrians should have a strong motivation to be proactive. By doing so, the life you save is your
Shutterstock: Room 76
own. Walking while distracted and/or drunk is a huge issue. These behaviors may be legal, but they can be just as deadly. The law generally protects you from others, not yourself. Walking on the roadside can be risky, but these risks can be managed. Here are some helpful tips:
• Always walk facing traffic. You cannot react to things you can’t see.
• Wear reflective clothing. A $10 safety vest, purchased at a hardware store, is a simple low-cost solution. Keychain-sized LED blinkers will help motorists see you.
• Only cross the road at crosswalks and intersections. Move away from parked cars, so you can “See and Be Seen” before crossing.
• Beware of drivers turning “Right on Red.” Drivers should yield but often fail to notice pedestrians.
• Never assume a driver will give you the right of way. Make every effort to make eye contact with the driver of a stopped or approaching vehicle before entering the roadway.
• Just because the first car stops, doesn’t end the danger.
• Distracted walking kills. Put down the cell phone and remove at least one earbud.
Be careful and safe out there and remember to stay alert.
Michael Sweeney is a Traffic Safety Educator at AAA Hudson Valley.
10 I MARCH/APRIL 2022