Navigating urban areas can be challenging, especially for pedestrians and electric scooter riders. While driving cars might not be everyone’s preference, choosing alternate modes of transportation requires extra caution amidst vehicular traffic. Here are some essential safety tips to help pedestrians and electric scooter riders stay safe on the streets.
Pedestrian Safety Tips
Stay alert and aware
Taking walks to relax or explore the city is enjoyable, but staying aware of your surroundings is crucial. Walking with your head up and paying attention to traffic signals, cars, and other pedestrians can help prevent many accidents. When listening to music, keep the volume low enough to hear what's happening around you. Avoid walking and texting to maintain full awareness of your environment.
Use designated crosswalks and sidewalks
Always use crosswalks when crossing streets and stick to sidewalks while walking. Crosswalks are designed as safe crossing points for pedestrians, often with signals and markings to alert drivers to your presence. Sidewalks help provide a safe space away from vehicular traffic, significantly reducing the risk of accidents.
Follow traffic signals
Obey walk signals and traffic lights. Wait for the green light before crossing to ensure it's safe. Even if the road appears clear, always wait for the proper signal, and look both ways before crossing. Impatience can lead to dangerous situations, so it's better to be safe than sorry.
Make eye contact with drivers
Make sure drivers see you before you cross the street. Visible communication may prevent accidents. Making eye contact with a driver can confirms that they have seen you and are yielding to you. This is especially important at intersections and in parking lots where visibility might be limited.
Wear reflective or bright clothing
Enhancing your visibility, especially at night or in poor weather conditions, is crucial for your safety. Bright or reflective clothing can make it easier for drivers to see you, helping to reduce the risk of accidents. Consider carrying a flashlight or wearing accessories with reflective materials to increase your visibility further.
Pedestrian safety tips for children
Children are particularly vulnerable as pedestrians due to their small size and lack of experience. Here are some tips to keep them safe:
- Educate on road safety: Teach children basic traffic rules and signals. Role-playing is a great way to teach these techniques. Ensure they understand the importance of looking both ways before crossing the street and waiting for the signal.
- Always accompany young children: Adult supervision is essential. Hold hands while crossing streets to keep young children safe. This helps to keep them physically safe and models good behavior for them to learn from.
- Safe walking routes to school: Plan and practice safe routes. Use pedestrian bridges and school crossing guards if available. These routes are designed to help minimize the risks children face on their way to and from school.
Additional safety tips
- Stay sober: Your chances of getting into an accident increase when walking while intoxicated.
- Be cautious in bad weather: Drivers' visibility becomes limited on rainy days, so be more aware of your surroundings than when the weather is clear and dry.
- Watch for turning vehicles: Stay alert for vehicles turning the corner. Make sure you're visible to them.
- Check for traffic in all lanes: If one lane of traffic stops for you, it doesn’t mean another will follow suit. Check every lane before crossing the street.
- Avoid visual barriers: Before crossing, make sure you’re not near a large visual barrier that could block drivers’ view of you, like a bus or parked car.
- Maintain a safe distance on sidewalks: When on the sidewalk, make sure you’re far enough from the street to step back in case a vehicle hops the curb.
Electric Scooter Safety Tips
Use hand signals
In California, using hand signals is not just a good safety practice; it's also the law. Vehicle Code Section 22107 requires the use of a signal before turning. Here's how to give hand signals while riding a scooter and turning:
- Left turn: Hand and arm extended horizontally beyond the side of the scooter
- Right turn: Hand and arm extended upward beyond the side of the scooter
- Stop or sudden decrease of speed signal: Hand and arm extended downward beyond the side of the vehicle.
Wear protective gear
Wearing the right protective gear is crucial when riding an electric scooter. A helmet can help to protect your head in case of a fall or collision. Additionally, consider wearing knee and elbow pads to minimize injuries.
Use proper body posture
Proper positioning of your body while riding an electric scooter not only makes for a more enjoyable riding experience but also can make it safer. Try standing towards the back of your scooter for better weight distribution, which puts less pressure on the front tire. The less pressure your front tire has, the less likely it will slide on a slippery surface.
Keep both hands on the scooter
While it may seem obvious, make an effort to keep both hands on the scooter unless you're giving a hand turn signal or doing something else important. This helps maintain control and balance, reducing the risk of accidents.
Be cautious of your surroundings
Stay alert and aware of your surroundings when riding an electric scooter. Pay attention to traffic signals, road conditions, and other vehicles. Avoid distractions like using your phone while riding. If you know you’re headed for a crash or slip, let the scooter go and try to protect yourself from falling too hard on the ground.
Ride defensively
Always anticipate the actions of other road users. Be prepared for sudden stops or turns by vehicles and pedestrians. Riding defensively may help you avoid accidents and stay safe on the road.
A call to action for safer streets
Creating safer streets requires a collective effort from pedestrians, cyclists, scooter riders, and drivers. By following these tips and staying alert, we can all contribute to a safer environment. Whether you’re walking, riding, or driving, it’s important to remain vigilant and respect each other’s space.
At Infinity Insurance Agency, Inc. (IIA), we understand the importance of safety in everything you do. We offer affordable and customizable insurance solutions for personal and commercial auto insurance across several states, including CA, AZ, TX, CO, FL, GA, PA, and CT. Contact us today to learn more about how we can protect you and your loved ones on the road.