Florida Pedestrian Safety Tips

With the amazing weather, beautiful beaches and luscious palm trees, Florida is a wonderful place to enjoy the sunshine and ocean breeze. However, if you enjoy walking to the supermarket or even just around your neighborhood – beware. 

Florida is known as the most dangerous state to be a pedestrian. With nearly 6,000 fatalities in 2019, it is one of the most deadly states to be a victim in a pedestrian accident. There are steps you can take as a driver to keep pedestrians safe. 

Below, we’ve detailed our Top 5 Pedestrian Safety Tips.

Top 5 Pedestrian Safety Tips

1. Be aware of pedestrians!

As a driver, it is crucial to always be paying close attention to your surroundings. Keep an eye on sidewalks, crosswalks, and other walkways. While pedestrians must obey traffic signals and signs, it’s best to remain aware if you see a person on the street or sidewalk. Simply because they are supposed to follow certain rules and directions, doesn’t mean they always will. 

The best way to avoid an accident with a pedestrian is to keep your eyes on the road and limit other distractions.

2. Use caution after dark and during inclement weather.

During the night or after dark, visibility is greatly reduced. The same can be said for driving during a storm! If you’re driving in dark or rough conditions, be sure that you’re fully alert. Pay attention to the drivers around you, as well as crosswalks and walkways. 

When visibility is compromised, this increases the risk of being involved in a pedestrian related accident. 

3. Always come to a complete stop at stop signs and stop lights.

This may sound like a no-brainer, but this is a major contributor to increased pedestrian-related accidents. When combined with the low visibility caused by driving after dark or during a windy, rainstorm, pedestrians may be difficult to see. By making a controlled stop at all intersections, you can help keep the roads safe for pedestrian traffic. 

Read More: After Being Injured As A Passenger In A Car Accident

4. Never drive distracted or under the influence. 

This goes without saying, but under no circumstances should you ever drive under the influence or while distracted by texting and driving. This can cause all kinds of accidents, including vehicle-pedestrian accidents. The consequences of an accident that involves driving distracted or under the influence can have serious penalties. 

5. Increase caution in school zones.

Before and after school, you may find that there are more pedestrians on the sidewalks walking to and from school. Oftentimes these are children, so be aware that they may not fully understand the rules of the road. 

A note for pedestrians:

If you live an active lifestyle, we urge you to stay vigilant and take as many safety precautions as possible to stay safe. Please follow all rules of the road and if you’re walking after dark, make sure you’re visible to drivers by wearing a light or reflective gear. Speak with your children about how to safely use crosswalks and walkways. 

It is always better to be safe than sorry. We hope these tips will help you navigate driving with pedestrians in mind. 

If you’ve been involved in a pedestrian-vehicle accident and are looking to seek compensation, please reach out to one of our highly-skilled attorneys.