A 37-year-old Jacksonville resident was walking along the interstate earlier in the summer. A Volkswagen stopped in the right travel lane to offer assistance to the pedestrian. Another motorist struck the Volkswagen, pushing it into the pedestrian. The pedestrian suffered life-threatening injuries, and three others were critically hurt.
Tips for crossing the road safely
Florida is one of the top-four most dangerous states for pedestrians. Pedestrian fatalities in Florida rose from 2009 to 2010, from 482 to 499, respectively. Nationally, there were 4,280 pedestrian deaths in 2010. There are many ways to protect yourself as a pedestrian, and they are simple, yet effective methods. Following are some safety tips for crossing the road on foot:
- Stop at the edge of the street before crossing.
- If your view of traffic is blocked, move forward while making sure you are visible to traffic.
- Look both ways for oncoming traffic before crossing.
- If you are crossing at an intersection, look behind you, too.
- Don’t assume that drivers see you or will stop for you.
Safety tips for crossing with children or for driving through school zones
Injuries and fatalities involving children 14 years and younger cost $5.2 billion each year. Crossing the road with a child or driving through a school zone with crossing guards and groups of children can be dangerous. Children may dart out in the road and often do not look for oncoming traffic before doing so. Following are some safety tips for driving through school zones or stopping for a crossing guard:
- Always be aware of your surroundings, and never drive distracted through school zones.
- Abide by speed limits, even if they seem slow.
- Always be ready to stop suddenly.
- When stopping for a crossing guard, stop before the crosswalk so the guard and children have enough room to walk.
If you have children of your own, teach them safe crossing. Tell them to always listen to the crossing guard and to not follow the guard into the street until they are told to cross. And, as always, look both ways before crossing the street every time.
If you were injured as a pedestrian, you may be able to receive compensation if the driver was at fault. An experienced personal injury lawyer in Sarasota can inform you of your options for justice.