We all know that walking to work is good for your health. The benefits of fresh air, increased heart rate, and the relaxing effects of movement are well documented. It’s healthy to walk anywhere! But, what about the risks? When you hear medical advice, suggesting that you walk more, you rarely hear about the dangers inherent in this activity. In 2019, 972 people lost their lives out walking as pedestrians. It’s your prerogative to exercise for your health, but it’s also your responsibility to make sure you stay safe.
If you do find yourself the victim of a pedestrian accident, don’t hesitate to hire an experienced attorney. But, in the hopes of avoiding any such harm, let’s take a look at some tips for staying safe while enjoying a walk outdoors.
This seems obvious, but the rules are not made to be broken when it comes to traffic safety. Using crosswalks, crossing only when lights and signs permit it, and avoiding jaywalking are all proactive ways to look out for yourself. You’ll also avoid tickets and dirty looks.
If you are going for a walk, let someone know what you’re doing. Share your route and your estimated arrival time with a friend. This way, if something does happen, there will be people to send help if you are missing.
There’s a reason seasoned walkers have reflective tape on them, day or night. They value their safety, and they know from experience that staying visible is one of your first lines of defense against accident or injury. Wear white or fluorescent gear, from your own closet, or invest in a reflective vest or set of straps.
And this is not just for nighttime, you want to be noticed by drivers during the day as well. Drivers are out there with a million things on their minds, so do your part to help them see you.
Pay attention to your route and the path in front of you, but also to your surroundings. Check out the traffic at the spotlight up ahead, look for turning lanes and those with cars crossing against the light. Is anyone driving erratically? Are there any big blind spots? Is the traffic coming out very quickly on the green light? Keep your eye out for anything coming, because if it has a motor it will be coming fast.
The same goes for staying alert with your ears as well. Listening to loud music or podcasts could distract you from warnings, horns, or the sound of oncoming traffic.
Make sure you set up a walking plan for yourself. Take into account your overall health, and be realistic. Don’t let yourself get stranded in an unfamiliar area, too tired or sore to go on. And don’t forget to bring water, no matter what, and a snack if you think you will need it. Think about your risk of falling and your mobility limitations and plan accordingly. As you walk you will be able to handle more and more, so don’t push yourself too hard at first.
blogs
What to Know About Arizona’s Lemon Law
Like many other states, Arizona has a Lemon Law in place to help protect consumers who buy faulty vehicles from being stuck with them with no recourse. Arizona’s lemon law, though, is a little different from other states, with certain restrictions in place that are specific to Arizona. Here are a few basic guidelines to […]
Five Products for Increased Automobile Safety
It should be no surprise that in Arizona and California, with the increasing dependence on cars, automobile accidents are increasingly likely. In the event of an accident, you want to have as many bases covered as possible – from minor repairs you can do yourself to getting yourself out of harm’s way as quickly and […]
Five Apps for Bicyclists
Bicycle accidents happen all the time in the United States, and practicing bicycle safety is relatively simple – it just involves a lot of mindful riding and the safest possible equipment. Another part of safe bicycle riding is making sure you have your routes planned out and, in the case of an emergency, it doesn’t […]
Common Causes for Tractor Trailer Accidents
There’s a good reason tractor trailers require a specialty license to operate them. They’re big, fast, heavy, and – in the wrong conditions – incredibly dangerous. It is estimated that 3.5 percent of all automobileaccidents each year involve tractor trailers. Around 4,600 of these result in some sort of fatality. This can be due to […]
Hotels and Personal Injuries
Everyone is looking to travel right about now. Summer is getting into full swing, and whether you are looking to see a distant land or reacquaint yourself with familiar faces, you’re probably planning your next big adventure, too. Besides the normal precautions, like ensuring home security while you’re away, or booking some travel insurance, you […]
Lemon Laws and How They Have Impacted Jeep Car Recalls
Lemon Laws and How They Have Impacted Jeep Car Recalls Purchasing a car calls for careful consideration if you are to find a reliable model that suits your needs. More importantly, you need to understand existing laws concerning the warranty, equity, insurance, and various other crucial aspects. Lemon laws are designed to protect buyers from […]
Defensive Driving During a Summer of Distracted Drivers
With warm weather, we’re all trying to relax as best we can, wherever we can. Unfortunately, some people can take this a little too far, and find themselves incredibly distracted when in the driver’s seat. Not only that, but with heat exhaustion a possibility, some drivers could be making even worse decisions. It’s your job […]
Pedestrian Safety
For obvious reasons, there’s much more discussion out there about safe driving, or even safe bicycle riding, than there is about being a safe pedestrian. After all, it seems like we should just be able to walk safely down a street, and especially where pedestrians have right of way, walking seems like the safest option. […]
Slip and Falls in Private Homes
Slips and falls are serious anywhere, but if you concentrate just on occurrences in private homes, an arresting statistic jumps out right away- falls are responsible for 50% of all accidental deaths in the home. Let’s take a look at two of the top causes of a slip and fall in a private home. We […]
Get Personal Injury Help in Southern California and Arizona from RS Law Offices
If you live in Southern California or Arizona, and you’ve been injured in an accident, you may have a right to seek compensation. If you’ve suffered a personal injury, you’re going to have some questions, and navigating those concerns is all but impossible to do on your own. You not only have a right to […]
contact form
