Sometimes, walking on city streets and roads in California offers different views than what you would get in a car. However, safety should be a focus, as you want to decrease the risk of being involved in an accident that could result in severe injuries. The following are a few tips to keep in mind.
Walkways
One way to decrease pedestrian accidents is to walk on a sidewalk or another clear pathway that’s designated for people or bicycles instead of cars. If you cannot find this type of pathway or there are no sidewalks available, walk as far off the road as possible while facing oncoming traffic so that you are visible to drivers.
Surroundings
Try to pay attention to your surroundings while you’re walking near traffic as some drivers might not be able to see you. Distractions like your phone or music that you listen to with headphones on your ears can lead to accidents that can happen because you can’t hear or see a car coming. If you need to use your phone, consider finding a bench or a safe area to talk or send a message so you’re not as distracted while walking.
Signs
As a pedestrian, there are still signs that you need to follow. Most cities have crosswalks and signals indicating when crossing the road is safe. You also want to pay attention to traffic signals as these can help indicate when traffic is moving in each direction, allowing you to cross streets with traffic flow.
While walking as a pedestrian, you want to take a few precautions so that you’re not involved in an accident. Eliminating distractions and noticing your surroundings are only a few examples.