Tips for New York Pedestrians to Avoid Accidents

Pedestrian accidents happen all too often in New York City, often resulting in serious injuries or death. With the number of pedestrian accidents increasing every day, pedestrians must be constantly aware of their surroundings. Although not all pedestrian accidents can be prevented, a number of safety tips can ensure pedestrians their safety while walking the streets.

Here are some tips you can follow to avoid pedestrian accidents in New York:

·         While walking the streets, wear bright-colored clothing during the day and light-colored or reflective clothing at night.

·         Do not walk if you have consumed alcohol, because alcohol impairs a person’s decision making ability and physical reflexes, thereby increasing the risk of accidents.

·         Know the traffic signals, signs and rules in the areas where you are walking. You must also be aware of the vehicle rules to properly anticipate what motorists will do.

·         Do not wear a headphone, talk on the phone or look down at your phone while walking.

·         Consider walking on the sidewalks. If sidewalks are unavailable, walk on the far side of the road.

·         Use crosswalks to cross the street. If there are no crosswalks, always choose a well-lit spot and wait for a long gap in traffic to cross over.

·         After the light turns red, wait for an extra moment to make sure that all vehicles have stopped.