Pedestrian Safety
Who could have imagined that crossing the street inside the crosswalks would turn out to be deadly? Sadly, a woman was struck by a car in Ellicott City despite being inside the crosswalk. After being rushed to a trauma center, she was pronounced dead as a result of her injuries. You wouldn’t think matters could get any worse, but they did. The driver of the vehicle that killed the woman sped away, failing to render aid or take responsibility for the incident.
Safe Choices for Pedestrians
While pedestrians cannot ever guarantee that a random erratic driver crosses their paths, like the woman in Ellicott City, they can still take steps to minimize the risk of a dangerous collision:
- Walk on the sidewalk if there is one; if not, walk as far to the right of the road facing traffic.
- At nighttime, carry a flashlight.
- Remain sober.
- Never assume that a vehicle will stop for you, even if you have the right of way.
- Respond appropriately to Walk and Don’t Walk
- Be sure to cross in crosswalks and at intersections whenever possible.
- Stay alert: even if you’re in a crosswalk walking with the signal, drivers may not be paying attention.
- Avoid using your phone, headphones, or other items that might distract you when crossing the street.
- Don’t forget to look for turning vehicles when crossing the street.
- Be particularly careful in parking lots and around driveways. Listen for the sound of engines, and check for car lights and movement.
Children & Teens
Kids can be especially vulnerable as they travel their own neighborhoods. Safety must always be emphasized and practiced so children develop safe habits. They should know:
- Looking in both directions before crossing the street is essential.
- Children under the age of ten should never cross a street without an adult who can more accurately judge the speed and distance of oncoming traffic.
- Darting between parked cars is dangerous and kids should remember that their visibility is key to safety.
- Warn children that they should never dash onto a street chasing a ball, pet, or toy.
- Teens should avoid being distracted by friends and other interests and should instead genuinely focus on traffic and safety.
- Avoid horsing around near busy roadways.
- Don’t try to rush across a busy street when there is clearly not enough time; just wait for the next light.
After A Pedestrian Accident
We all know that when vehicles and pedestrians collide, pedestrians suffer the most, regardless of how carefully they may have been navigating the streets. If you or a loved one has been seriously harmed or killed by an errant driver, you may be able to recover damages to address medical bills and more. The experienced and compassionate LaPlata & Waldorf personal injury attorneys at The Law Office of Hammad S. Matin, P.A. can help. Schedule a confidential consultation today.
Source:
cbsnews.com/baltimore/news/ellicott-city-hit-and-run-crash-kills-woman-who-was-using-the-pedestrian-crosswalk/
