The Perils of Pedestrians

Published on 13 December 13

Mike Follow

Busy roads, rushing vehicles, flouting traffic rules have become the norm of the day. Pedestrian safety is a cause of concern. Those who walk it know it how dangerous the roads have become for those on foot. Are you a victim of this hazard too?

If yes, read on to know the course of action to follow. If not, definitely read on to prevent the occurrence of pedestrian accidents and to be prepared for one if unfortunately it happens.

Vehicle Violence

My little niece was playing in her peaceful, homely neighborhood when a speeding motorist ran her over. The driver was drunk and driving too fast to slow down on seeing the girl. She was thoroughly injured, pelvic bones fractured, much tissue and ligament damage. She was in bed for weeks.

Of course, the driver was cited for careless drunk driving. But that does not undo what he did. Driving carefully in a residential area, near hospitals, schools is basic common sense, but like they say it is not very common.

Being a pedestrian you know you will see such blatant traffic violations all the time.

Motorists not yielding way to pedestrians when they are crossing a roadway within a crosswalk, by coming from behind, overtaking and passing them.

Not giving the right-of-way to pedestrians at red signals and stop signs.

When traffic signals are not functioning, not allowing right-of way to pedestrians at all, making their passage and crossing very difficult.

Alert Applications

Technology is rapidly taking strides to make life easier, safer and better for human beings. Keeping in mind the plethora of pedestrians who meet with traffic accidents each year, certain applications and technological innovations have come into existence to make the roads safer for you.

Android Walksafe

This application can be easily downloaded from the market. Mobile phone conversations have often been considered the culprit in pedestrian accidents. This application takes this fact into account and detects front and back-views of cars approaching or moving away from the user while he is on an active call. The application alerts the user of dangerous conditions through vibration and sounds emitted from the pone. Its detection capacity for the car position has been experimented, evaluated and found to be very accurate in real world situations.

This application is a boon for all those who walk and talk simultaneously.

Mobileye Advanced Driver Assistance Systems

Pedestrian- friendly applications are not just for pedestrians. The vehicle drivers need alert applications just as much.

Mobileye has developed a number of driver-focused technology that helps drivers be alert on the road and prevent accidents.

They have recently designed a smartphone-connected driver assistance system. It is called the Mobileye. The system warns the drivers when their cars get too close to bicycles, other cars, and pedestrians.

This can be functional as a phone application that operates through bluetooth or a camera that mounts to the windshield.

Many car manufacturers do provide these driver assistance systems as structured fits. If not, opting for them in your phone or car is a good idea.

Walking with a disability

Being visually or hearing impaired cannot and should not stop you from approaching life or the roads. But it is very difficult indeed to assess the traffic and cross the roads when you do not have access to the sights and sounds around you.

To facilitate pedestrians with disability and make the roads a little safer for them, the Neatebox application has been designed that allows the phone to function as a signal box itself. The device establishes a connection with a particular local traffic signal box. Then through vibration, voice alert or depiction of the 'Green Man,' it tells the phone user when it is safe to cross the road. All the user needs to keep up with is the conducive and appropriate signal from his mobile device.

It reduces the anxiety levels of the disabled users as well as they now do not have to worry about rushing from the stationary signal box to the edge of the pavement and then about crossing the road itself within the given pedestrian time.

Knowing the legalities

I know of people who are the most alert and cautious pedestrians you would ever meet but even they have met with accidents. What do you do then?

A pedestrian is always prone to grave injury. When a road accident results in serious damage do take the legal course and appoint a personal injury lawyer who sympathizes with your situation. Explain the details to your lawyer, remember that the vehicle driver's lawyers that caused the accident will try to point it out as an accident occurred solely due to you, the pedestrian's negligence. If you know it is not true, you are being victimized, let your personal injury lawyer secure you your due compensation- financial and emotional.

Being responsible pedestrians

While hiring legal representation is a good idea when you have suffered major damage in an accident while walking on the road, do ensure you are not on the wrong side. Follow the traffic rules laid down for pedestrians. They might take you a minute more but better late than never.

At intersections, do not cross except at marked crosswalks when signals are in operation.

If possible avoid mobile usage while on the road

If you are crossing a roadway at any other point except the crosswalk, do give right-of-way to vehicles on the road.

Be alert, and regulate your own safety while walking.

Do not suddenly run into or come into the path of a moving vehicle.

Pedestrian accidents are becoming a serious cause of concern. Spreading awareness and motor drivers and pedestrians becoming a little bit more patient and alert can save many lives.