Safety Tips for Rural and Suburban Pedestrians
Photo: Free-Photos via Pixabay
Pedestrian safety is an issue for both suburban and rural areas. It turns out that more pedestrian fatalities happen in the countryside than in more densely populated regions. “More than half of all U.S. traffic fatalities occur on rural roads,” said Jack Marchbanks, director of the Ohio Department of Transportation.
Don’t let the statistics keep you from walking to work or around your place of residence, though. We’ve rounded up some safety strategies for pedestrians so you can stay out of harm’s way in the countryside and in the suburbs.
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For rural pedestrians
Photo: Martina (FotoZeit) via Pixabay
If you’re walking in a rural area, the first thing you’ll want to do is to wear bright colors during the day and reflective clothes at night, recommends Tufts University Department of Safety. It’s also a good idea to bring along a flashlight during night walks, especially if you’ll be walking on back roads with few or no lampposts. This will increase your visibility to other drivers who might be passing by.
When possible, avoid walking along rural roads after dark. If you need transportation, ask a friend who has a car for a lift, or wait till daylight before traveling on foot. This will help minimize the risk of a traffic injury or fatality caused by a driver that just didn’t see you in time to avoid a collision.
Another strategy has to do with where you walk in relationship to the road. In rural areas, sidewalks are typically non-existent. If you’re walking on a road with no adjacent sidewalk or pedestrian path, walk towards the direction of traffic and as far away from the road’s edge as possible, advises the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
For suburban pedestrians
Photo: Edward Lich via Pixabay
When walking in suburban areas, it’s also important to use sidewalks, whenever possible, and to walk in well-lit areas at night.
Make sure to follow pedestrian signs and signals and use caution when using a crosswalk. Though motorists are required to yield to pedestrians who are using marked and unmarked crosswalks, there’s still a risk that a speeding or distracted driver will break these rules of the road.
Lastly, stay alert and avoid being preoccupied with electronic devices. Use your eyes and ears to help you stay clear of traffic and be aware of any reckless drivers nearby so you can stay safe while walking to your destination.
For more pedestrian safety tips, check out this article. And get the scoop on centerline hardening, a new road construction technique that increases pedestrian protection.
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Whitney Russell resides in Dayton, though her spirit can be found beach-bumming in Puerto Rico (the land of her half-Puerto Rican heritage). When not crafting car-related content, she can be found chasing after the most amazing toddler in the world, watching her “beaver” of a husband build amazing woodworking projects, hanging out with two crazy dogs, and visiting family and friends. She also enjoys traveling, crafting, and binge-watching period dramas when time allows. See more articles by Whitney.