When sidewalk and road safety was at it’s worst in 2016, I wrote this little piece to present for a small group of people. I’d say that cyclists and pedestrians don’t have it any better now and these tips are just as important as ever. Let me know if you have more tips for my list.
There’ s a power struggle for our streets and you must choose your side!
It’s the vehicles versus pedestrians. Who has the right of way?
Everyone one of us can be vulnerable to an injury just by simply walking outside. Imagine that, you’re on route to the market to get yourself a treat, maybe a swirly cone, and instead you end up eating the pavement. This unfortunately happened to me on my bicycle when I was in the tenth grade. I broke both my legs and missed school for a month.
Unfortunately, this has been a consistent headline in the news, we hear about it all the time, and 2016 (when I wrote this article) was the deadliest year for pedestrians in Toronto in over a decade. My friends, I’m a downtowner and rely on my feet or my bicycle to get around the city. Let me tell you that there is no power struggle. Drivers and pedestrians are supposed to share the road and together we are responsible for keeping the road SAFE. With some helpful tips I want to remind everybody to ‘Watch Your Step’ out there.
Tip #1
When walking outside, first things first: (1) You need to eliminate all DISTRACTIONS. That means- lose the ear-buds, cell phones, that book, and anything that takes your attention off the road. Look and listen. Stay on sidewalks when you can or walk facing traffic at the edge of the road, where there are no sidewalks.
Tip #2
(2) When CROSSING the street, do so where there are traffic signals, a crosswalk or at intersections with stop signs. Do NOT jaywalk where drivers are not expecting pedestrians. Stand back from the roadway while waiting to cross and NOT right beside the curb. Look both ways for oncoming traffic and don’t step onto the road until it’s safe to do so. Walk, don’t run, while crossing the street. By running, you risk tripping and falling in the middle of the road.
Understand the meaning of pedestrian signals. In general, only start crossing during the Walking Person signal. The Flashing Person means that the traffic signal will change soon and you should finish crossing– do not turn back. The Steady Hand means that pedestrians do not have the right-of-way and cannot cross the road.
Tip #3
(3) Maintain full AWARENESS. Make eye contact with drivers before crossing, pay attention in parking lots and driveways. Make sure you are seen! Increase your visibility at night by carrying a flashlight and if you want to look cool and hip, wear reflective clothing.
You want to use all of your senses to ensure your safety. Walk defensively and be ready for unexpected events. One thing to remember is that not all drivers are as skilled as the others on the road. That’s why you want to Know what’s going on around you and don’t allow your vision to be blocked by clothing, hats, or items that you are carrying.
Pedestrians are among the most vulnerable users of the road. In 2016, there were 42 pedestrians that died in the city, making it the deadliest on record since 2002 at that time.
Let’s improve our road safety and look out for each other out there.
Walking is good for your health, and it’s good for the environment too. But before you head out on foot for a power walk remember to stay safe and Watch Your Step!
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