Pedestrians

      Technically, you are not sharing the road with pedestrians unless they are actually in the road. As you probably know, pedestrians will be not be in the road too often. They will more likely be along the side of the road, but you, as a good defensive driver, must know what to do when people on foot are anywhere close to your moving vehicle. Should you strike a pedestrian with your vehicle, even the most minor collision will certainly cause some kind of injury to the individual on foot; also think about how it will affect you.

     Pedestrians have rules they must follow as do drivers. You are probably familiar with the do not walk signals you see at many intersections. You probably know, as well, that some     pedestrians ignore those signals. Drivers are people, and pedestrians are people – and people sometimes make poor decisions. Always be on your guard wherever you see pedestrians, and practice one important rule of thumb: Yield to anyone on foot. Just because the law states that you as the driver have the right of way does not mean that will always be the case.

      You will encounter pedestrians at intersections or walking along the side of the road. You may come upon a group of people chatting right at the side of the road or younger people engaging in horseplay. Children may be playing right at the curb while inattentive parents are engaged in conversation. Let’s also lump joggers into the pedestrian category. Blind individuals may be walking with a white cane or with the assistance of a service dog. We could make this list so much longer, but you get the idea.

          If bicycles and motorcycles present profiles that are hard to detect, what about an individual? Add to that dark clothing and darkness or a street lined with parked cars. If a pedestrian is in the wrong place at the wrong time and encounters an inattentive driver, the results can be deadly. Any time you are driving in areas with a lot of traffic or parked vehicles, never discount the idea that a pedestrian will shoot out from behind a vehicle. In today’s world, people are busy. They are also immersed in their smart phones as they walk. This is a recipe for disaster. Inattentive pedestrians walk out into the path of moving vehicles all the time. Good defensive drivers anticipate this by staying attentive even when the person on foot is not.

• People on foot should always walk in a single file along the side of the road, as far to the left as possible. They will not always do this.
• People walking or jogging at night should wear light clothing and carry a light or reflector. They will not always do this.
• People on foot should be sure their path is clear before crossing the street, making eye contact with the driver if possible. They will not always do this.
• The law states that pedestrians must yield to vehicles when they are crossing the street and not in a crosswalk. They will not always do this.

         You have probably seen the pattern by now. Pedestrians, like drivers, do not always do what they should. When you are at an intersection, always check for pedestrians as you pass through the intersection. Watch for people who may plan to cross the street against a “do not walk” signal or who are not paying any attention to where they are going. Watch for people who may be running to catch a bus that is across the street and must cross your path to reach the bus. Watch for larger groups of people right at curb side. With horseplay or just moving around within the group, someone could step out, fall out, or even be pushed out into your path.

         If you are out on the streets and roads, slow down and allow space as you pass pedestrians. Joggers can trip and fall into your path. Even someone walking can be startled by a barking dog and can instinctively run from the dog – right out in front of you. Always read body language when you approach and pass people on foot. Anticipate the fact that they may somehow end up in your path. And remember, never assume you know when people will and will not be out along the road. Always stay alert, especially when darkness or bad weather make spotting pedestrians even more challenging.