Did you know…

www.smartgrowthamerica.org and the National Complete Streets Coalition, ranked Las Vegas 13th in the nation among large metro areas for likelihood of pedestrians being killed in a traffic accident. It created the rankings based on the Pedestrian Danger Index, which measures factors, including the share of local commuters who walk to work and the most recent five years of data on pedestrian fatalities.

The good news is, by following our tips you can greatly reduce your chances of becoming one of these statistics. 

Pedestrian Tips:

See & be seen. Wear light or bright colored clothing and wear reflective material to increase your visibility to drivers. This is especially important when walking at night so that drivers are aware of your presence.

Even if you have the right of way. Even if you have the right of way, take a moment to look both ways before you step off the curb. A car could very easily not take this rule into consideration and/or be distracted and go when they are not supposed to.

Follow the rules of the road. Use marked crosswalks and follow pedestrian traffic signs and signals. Do not take chances by trying to walk when the time is down to a few seconds. 

Be predictable. Avoid jaywalking or sudden, unexpected dashes into the street. 

Pay attention to your surroundings. Avoid pulling your hood down to cover your face, playing with your mobile device, listening to loud music, talking on the phone or texting. Being able to hear sounds is very important when walking in public.

Face traffic. Where there are no sidewalks, walk on the left side of the road facing traffic.

Make eye contact. Even if you are at a marked crosswalk or intersection, you can’t be sure a driver has seen you unless you make eye contact.

Driver Tips:

Slow down. Posted speed limits are for ideal weather and driving conditions. It’s important to adjust your speed downwards for less ideal conditions like wet or slippery pavement and weather conditions like fog, heavy rain or even bright sunshine.

Keep your mind on the road. Driving is a complex task and it requires the undivided attention of the driver. Conversations with passengers, tending to children or pets, eating and grooming are all activities that pull your focus from the road and increase your risk of being involved in a crash.

Scan for pedestrians. They may run across the road without looking to get away from the rain.

Maintain your vehicle. A well-maintained vehicle is a safer vehicle. Check your brakes and tire tread regularly and keep tires properly inflated. Keep your wipers in good condition and top off your windshield fluid. Make sure your windows are clean and free of grime, cracks or debris that could block your line of sight. It’s also a good idea to check that your headlights, taillights and indicator lights are clean and in working order.

If you have been a victim of a driver not paying attention and do not know what to do, Core Rehab can help. Call us at (702)577-1692.

Source: http://coquitlam.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/ViewPage.action?siteNodeId=478&languageId=1&contentId=32211