March 28, 2024
Annapolis, US 51 F

Common sense pedestrian tips from Anne Arundel County Police

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pedestrian accidentWith so many pedestrian (and cycling) accidents this year, the Anne Arundel County Police have sent out this reminder on how to be safe when sharing the roads with vehicles.

Walking and running is good for your health, and it’s good for the environment too. Almost everyone is a pedestrian at some time. Walking is a part of life and pedestrian safety is an issue that affects everyone. Before you head out on foot for a stroll, power walk, or 10k there are some important safety tips to remember.

Pedestrians—people who travel by foot, wheelchair, stroller, or similar means—are among the most vulnerable users of the road. In the next 24 hours, on average, 445 pedestrians will be treated in an emergency department for traffic-related injuries and 1/3 of pedestrians killed will be legally drunk.   In the next 2 hours, on average, one pedestrian will die from injuries in a traffic crash.

As pedestrians, children are at even greater risk of injury or death from traffic crashes due to their small size, inability to judge distances and speeds, and lack of experience with traffic rules. Nearly one in four traffic deaths among children age 14 and under are pedestrian deaths.

Whenever you’re walking or running, keep these tips in mind:

  • Cross the street at a designated crosswalk or intersection if possible;
  • Increase your visibility at night with a flashlight and light colored or reflective clothing;
  • Use a sidewalk if available otherwise walk/run on the shoulder facing oncoming traffic.

As both drivers and pedestrians, we all play a role in making the roadways safer. Drivers need to remember that pedestrians can be encountered even in places they are not supposed to be. Pedestrians must be cautious because drivers just might not see them. Even if you think you have the right of way, it’s not worth taking the chance to be dead right.

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