A Reminder For New York Pedestrians: Follow The Rules Of The Road

The streets of Long Island are crowded. The streets of New York City are crowded. Whether you’re a pedestrian or a driver, they’re tough to navigate, aren’t they?

It doesn’t hurt to be reminded every so often about the rules of the road as a pedestrian to help keep you safe. Here are some pedestrian-safety tips, courtesy of the state of New York.

• Wear clothing that has reflective materials to help drivers see you if you’re walking at night or in poor weather.
• At night, cross the street in areas with good lighting. Carrying a flashlight would help.
• Make eye contact with drivers to make sure they see you when you’re crossing the street.
• Use sidewalks, where available. Walk facing traffic if there isn’t a sidewalk.
• Impairment affects your judgment and increases your chances of being hit by a car. Stay sober.
• If you see a driver distracted by a cellphone, don’t cross the street. They might not be paying attention to you.

At crossings, do the following:

• Even when the pedestrian signal indicates you can walk, don’t step into the street without a look for cars that are coming and might not obey the light.
• Cross at intersections or marked crosswalks whenever possible.
• Follow the pedestrian signals, such as the WALK/DON’T WALK signs.
• Remember to look left, then right and then left again before you cross the street.
• Watch for cars that are turning.
• Make sure you can cross all lanes of traffic. One driver stopping for you doesn’t mean all will, so check to see that all lanes are clear.
• Resist the urge to talk on your cellphone or send a text message while crossing. Just as drivers shouldn’t be distracted, pedestrians shouldn’t either.

Nothing is more important than your safety on the roads. You can take all of these precautions, but you’re still at risk because drivers might not be following their safe driving procedures. If you are walking and injured by a driver, a personal injury attorney can help you recoup costs for medical expenses, lost wages and more.