Atlanta has one of the highest pedestrian crash fatality rates in the country, averaging 1.76 pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 people. On average, about half of these incidents occur between 9 PM and 5 AM. Preventing these crashes and making Atlanta a safer place is a shared responsibility between drivers and pedestrians.
With that in mind, here are a few tips to help pedestrians stay safe at night.
Dress Appropriately
Although there are fewer cars out at night, visibility is the main contributing factor to the increase in pedestrian crashes. In each of the following tips, you’ll notice that the concern is with making sure you are visible and that cars see you. That starts by dressing appropriately.
Generally, most pedestrians struck at night were wearing dark clothing that made them difficult to see, especially when crossing the street. Next time you go out at night, consider wearing lighter colors (such as white) and incorporating bright colors into your outfit. If you’re jogging or biking, wearing reflective colors can help you stand out against the darkness and significantly decrease the risk of a crash.
Observe Your Surroundings
Any time you step off the sidewalk, be sure you have an idea of how visible you are. Is the crosswalk lit? Are you passing in the dark space between street lamps? Observing your surroundings and understanding when you are visible can help you cross at the right time and potentially prevent a crash.
At the same time, you should be aware of approaching vehicles. A driver typically cannot see beyond the range of their headlights. If you are just beyond their range, the driver may be unable to see you. Use caution when crossing the street and make sure approaching traffic poses is far enough away that you can safely cross before you commit to stepping into the street.
See and Be Seen
Just as important as understanding lighting is knowing when a driver has seen you and acknowledge your presence. For example, drivers may not look at the cross lane before making a right turn. In these instances, it’s best to wait and either allow the driver to turn or make sure they stop and wave you on before attempting to cross the street.
If you or someone you love suffered severe injuries in a car crash, you might have a case. If you’d like an experienced Riverdale car accident attorney from Law Offices of Falanga & Chalker to evaluate your case, please don’t hesitate to send us an email or call (470) 450-1164.
