Useful Tips for Pedestrian Safety Month

October is National Pedestrian Safety Month. It’s a fitting month to recognize the hazards faced by pedestrians across the country. After all, the days have gotten shorter and therefore many pedestrians find themselves walking in the near-dark or dark; and, tragically, the Halloween celebration at the end of the month has traditionally seen a spike in pedestrian fatalities as children trick-or-treat that evening. In fact, AAA and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration have found that Halloween is the single deadliest day of the year for child pedestrians. Nearly half of the fatal car accidents on Halloween night involve a drunk driver, according to KDVR, and one-third of Halloween crash deaths involve a pedestrian.

So what can you do to be a safer pedestrian and to keep your children as safe as possible? Here are some of the leading safety tips:

• Don’t be a distracted pedestrian. Just like texting is dangerous behind the wheel, it’s also dangerous when you travel on foot. You want your eyes and mind on your surroundings. Headphones can also be hazardous because you won’t be able to hear what’s happening around you.

• Wear a brightly colored article of clothing. Especially at dawn, dusk, and in the dark, motorists have a hard time seeing you. Increase your visibility by donning a bright red jacket or a neon hat, for example. Anything that’s bright will stand out to motorists better than dark clothing.

• Cross roadways correctly. Always use a crosswalk. Don’t assume motorists will see you – always try to make eye contact if it’s at all possible. Always look left, right, left again when checking for cars before crossing.

• Incorporate bright colors for Halloween costumes. Many costumes feature dark colors, so make sure that children have a glow stick or glowing necklace, or something that is bright and reflective. Carrying a flashlight is also a good idea.

• Trick or treat in neighborhoods with sidewalks. Some neighborhoods are simply more pedestrian friendly than others. Bring your kids to the blocks with wide sidewalks, slow speeds, and little traffic. There are also “trunk or treat” or “treat street” events across Colorado that make it possible to trick or treat without the traffic.

These safety tips are not exhaustive, but they are good basics to keep in mind.

Pursuing Compensation and Justice After a Pedestrian Accident

If you or a loved one was injured in a pedestrian accident in Boulder, Loveland, or the surrounding areas of Colorado, then experienced injury attorney Chris Jeffress is ready to help you decide what to do next. He pursues justice and compensation on behalf of injury victims from across the state. For a case review, please call 303-993-8685.