Road users are not only drivers but also passengers, pedestrians, and cyclists. However, very often, pedestrians forget about it or don’t treat a question of road safety seriously. The consequences of such an attitude can be very tragic.
Why accidents happen
Since the number of pedestrians is much higher than the number of drivers, pedestrians break the rules more often. Even though the law is much stricter about drivers, walkers are also held liable for violations of traffic rules, which impose specific responsibilities on them. In addition, they are prohibited from stepping onto the roadway without making sure there is no danger to them and other road users. Also, it is prohibited to suddenly leave the road, to be delayed on the road, to allow children of preschool age to enter the roadway by themselves, and to cross the road in the wrong place. Recall that a personal lawyer in Fort Lee can help to defend your rights in the trial after an accident.
Excessive politeness and haste
Unpleasant situations often happen because of the excessive politeness of drivers. For example, not all other drivers may react when a walker starts crossing the street where it is not allowed, and the driver stops and lets the pedestrian pass. The cause of the event with the participation of pedestrians can be low visibility. Not for nothing in the dark, it is necessary for walkers to have reflective elements on their clothes so that drivers can see them in advance.
More often, the cause of traffic accidents is the recklessness or hastiness of road users. Therefore, walkers and drivers should be prudent on the road and not risk not only their lives but also the lives of other people. If an accident happens to you, it is better to seek legal assistance immediately to avoid unpleasant consequences and prove your case in court.
How to avoid hitting a pedestrian
The rules say that walkers must cross the road on a zebra crossing or at crossroads on the lines of sidewalks or shoulders. However, in practice, a person often loses vigilance at the zebra crossing, considering that it’s absolutely safe. The rules do not demand the driver to reduce speed or to stop before a zebra crossing if there is nobody there, but it is still necessary to reduce speed before the crossing. Be careful at stops – this is a high-risk area where events with pedestrians often take place. When approaching a public transport stop, especially if there is a drop-off of passengers, be sure to pull over and prepare for possible braking.
What should the driver do if the event with a pedestrian did happen
In this case, the driver, as a rule, feels a lot of stress. Therefore, you need to calm down and act according to the circumstances. In no case do not leave the place of the incident. This only aggravates their guilt, and it can lead to irreversible consequences. The first thing to do is to stop the car and install emergency stop signs. After that, examine the victim and give him first aid. If the examination was of minor or moderate severity, take steps to get him to a medical facility yourself. If the injuries are severe, it is better not to touch him and wait for the arrival of an ambulance, which should be called after the event. After that, return to the place of the accident and draw it up according to all the rules.