In today’s 'road safety for all' tips article, we’re going to be focusing on the most popular form of transport aside from a motor vehicle and that’s walking.
There have been a few changes to the Highway Code to the road hierarchy that have an impact on pedestrian’s right of way and we think it’s critical you read these updates and how they’ll impact you whether you’re a pedestrian or on a road with one.
5 tips to keep you safe as a pedestrian
1. Wear something bright and light so you're more visible to other road users. If you’re travelling later in the day as it gets dark, or when it's dark, then you should be wearing something reflective.
2. If you need to walk on the road because there’s not a suitable footpath then you should walk on the righthand side of the road so that you can more easily see the oncoming traffic. There are some exceptions, for example large, guided groups using the lefthand lane.
3. When crossing the flow of traffic you should use a dedicated crossing where possible. If you need to cross and there isn't an appropriate crossing then you should make sure there's enough time and space for you to cross at a leisurely pace. You should avoid rushing across the road as you're more likely to fall and become a hazard to other road users.
4. Make sure your children know how to safely walk on the road and position them so they’re in the safest position away from the road.
5. Watch out for cyclists and other road users not just cars – they're harder to spot being smaller, but can travel just as fast, so resist thinking that you’ll be able to cross in front of a bike or motorbike in less time - it isn't the case.
5 tips to help keep pedestrians safe
1. Drive a little slower if you’re travelling in a highly pedestrianised area, such as around a school, so that you have appropriate space and time to stop if someone's in the road or crosses unexpectedly.
2. Make sure you understand the Highway Code and recent changes, to make sure that you aren't caught off-guard by a pedestrian crossing when you’re not expecting them to.
3. When approaching a pedestrian on the road, slow down and make sure that you pass them with plenty of room so as to not scare them or cause an accident.
4. Make sure that you don’t block a crossing when queuing in traffic. Crossings are designed to be wide enough that all pedestrians, including those with pushchairs or wheelchairs, have enough space to move and even if you think there’s enough room for someone to cross in a gap between you and another vehicle this might not be the case.
5. Although all pedestrians are advised to wear bright or light colours, they may not always be doing so, which means you need to be extra observant at night when darker clothes may make them blend into their surroundings more.