Peter Owinje: Dear Pedestrian, Here Are 10 Things About Your Safety Which You Should Never Forget

Being a pedestrian is inevitable in human daily activities. In fact, every journey a man is to make either by air or by road begins and ends as a pedestrian. In a simple language a pedestrian is a person walking on the road or pavement.

All forms of overland transportations, such as motor cycle; tricycle; bicycle; railway; monorail and all kind of motor vehicles are new technologies to reduce pedestrianism traffic. They are all advancement in overland transportation technologies which have, over the years, saved countless number of pedestrian travel-time.

According to National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NATSH) reports reveal that each year almost 5,000 pedestrians die in motor vehicles accidents in U.S.

This explains why pedestrian’s facility is important and why pedestrians must be separated from road network. In fact, due to over speeding of other road users can cause a pedestrian a permanent injury or untimely death. To this end, there are 10 things a pedestrian must not do when using the road.

1. If a road lacks pedestrian facility or pavements, you need to walk on the side of the road where it will not be difficult for you to see on coming vehicles.

2. When you intend to cross the road, make sure there is a safe gap in the traffic before crossing.

3. When you notice a fast moving vehicle, even if there is a long gap in traffic, do not cross. Wait until the traffic is safe for you to cross.

4. If you see a sign or a post by authority on the road or an express way forbidding pedestrians from walking on the road, do not do otherwise.

5. Do not cross the road if an authorised traffic official on duty does not stop the vehicles for pedestrians to cross. Wwit until he stops that traffic for the pedestrian to cross.

6. Make use of zebra crossing if it’s available, and be sure the traffic has stopped before crossing the road.

7. Where the road is equipped with a light signal and it shows red pedestrian figure; do not cross the road.

8. When you are at level crossing on intersection of a railway and a road; do not cross when the alarm is heard or barrier is lowered.

9. When you notice at level crossing that the barriers is not lowered; alarm is not sounded and the lights are on yet, do not cross without looking both sides of the ways. Listen before crossing.

10. Do not text or read text when walking on the road.

Nevertheless, the safety and convenience of pedestrians is a crucial factor, because everyone is a pedestrian. Therefore your safety must come first when walking on the road.

Photo Credit: Michael Spring | Dreamstime.com