Rules for Pedestrian Safety
How to walk safely around drivers....and why!
Let’s face it: the #DMV has more than its share of pedestrian traffic accidents involving serious injury. Recent local news stories include the following incidents:
-a 13-year-old boy was struck and killed by a car while he was crossing the street during the middle of the day in Manassas, Va.
-a child, aged 3-4, was hit by a car in the 900 block of West Broad Street, Falls Church, and hospitalized in critical condition.
-a man died after being struck by a car in McLean, Virginia according to Fairfax County Police. The crash happened on Chain Bridge Road near the intersection of International Drive and Tysons Boulevard.
-a pedestrian died after being struck by a car on Sudley Road in Manassas.
-in November, 2021, a woman died after being struck by a car while trying to cross Medical Center Drive at Shoppers Way, in Prince George’s County.
-an 85-year-old man was hit by an automobile and killed while trying to cross Marlboro Pike and Boones Lane, also in Prince George’s County.
-and a 50-year-old woman died after she was hit by a car while walking in a crosswalk on Georgia Avenue in Wheaton according to Montgomery County Police.
-still another woman was gravely injured after she was struck by a vehicle in a Germantown, Maryland Giant Food store parking lot.
-and a man is dead after being hit by a car in Southeast D.C. according to the Metropolitan Police Department. The accident occurred in the area of Wheeler Road at Barnaby Street Southeast.
Virginia DMV statistics show that pedestrian accidents, including fatalities, are a serious problem in Virginia. In 2020, there were 1,242 accidents involving pedestrians in the Commonwealth, including 113 fatalities. Contributing factors include speed, alcohol intoxication, walking at night.
Though fault for these accidents can sometimes be attributed to either the drivers or the pedestrians, a prudent pedestrian will keep in mind that a pedestrian/automobile collision will be far more likely to inflict serious injury on the pedestrian than on the motorist. Serious cases handled in recent times by Blaszkow Legal have involved major head injury, surgical procedures, and hundreds of thousands in medical expenses.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommends these following pedestrian safety guidelines:
1. Follow the rules of the road and obey signs and signals.
2. Walk on sidewalks whenever they are available.
3. If there is no sidewalk, walk facing traffic and as far from traffic as possible.
4. Cross streets at crosswalks or intersections. Look for cars in all directions, including those turning left or right.
5. If a crosswalk or intersection is not available, locate a well-lit area where you have the best view of traffic. Wait for a gap in traffic that allows enough time to cross safely; continue watching for traffic as you cross.
6. Watch for cars entering or exiting driveways, or backing up in parking lots.
7. Avoid alcohol and drugs when walking; they impair your abilities and your judgment.
8. Embrace walking as a healthy form of transportation - get up, get out and get moving.
A pedestrian should never assume that a motorist has observed them. Stay safe on the highways. If you or someone you know have been injured while a pedestrian, due to a driver's negligence, call Blaszkow Legal today - 703-879-5910