As someone walking the streets, you're among the most vulnerable road users out there. That's why it's crucial to always keep road safety in mind and take personal responsibility for keeping yourself and others safe.

Walk Safe: Essential Tips for Pedestrians

Whether you're on the go, sharing the footpath with cyclists, or accompanying your little one to school, here you'll find a bunch of fantastic advice and information that will help you walk safer everyday.

1. Optimizing visibility with smart clothing choices

Equipping yourself with reflective armbands, high-visibility belts, vests, and other items in reflective or fluorescent materials can greatly enhance your safety, particularly during nighttime activities. These clothing options play a crucial role in making you more visible from a distance, ensuring that others can easily spot you. By prioritizing visibility, you take a proactive step towards protecting yourself and staying safe, day or night. We offer a great range of safety wear for everyone so click the button below to find out more.

2. Keeping the kids safe

Based on RSA research, they've found that children under the age of 12 may not possess the necessary skills to navigate traffic safely. Their ability to judge speed, distance, and make sound decisions is still developing during this period. That's why it's crucial for adults to lend a helping hand and ensure the safety of young pedestrians when crossing roads or simply walking alongside them. By offering guidance and support, we can create a secure environment and empower children to become more independent road users as they grow older. Prioritizing their safety every step of the way is very important!

3. Tips on crossing a road safely

Find a safe place to cross, considering visibility and distance from corners or bends in the road.
Stop and wait near the edge of the path or road, if there is no path available.
Take a moment to look right and left, and listen for any approaching traffic.
Allow any vehicles in either direction to pass before crossing, then double-check right and left.
Walk briskly across the road in a straight line when it is clear, maintaining awareness of surrounding traffic.
Stay attentive to traffic even while crossing, keeping an eye out and listening for any potential hazards.
Avoid crossing near the brow of a hill or parked vehicles.
Refrain from crossing where there are guard rails along a footpath.
Do not hold onto or climb onto moving vehicles.
Remember not to rush or run across the road.

4. Walking safely alongside or on a road

Keep these road safety tips in mind whenever you go for a walk, exercise, or head out with friends.

If there is a footpath available, make sure to use it.
When there is no footpath, stay as close as possible to the right-hand side of the road, facing the oncoming traffic.
In narrow or busy traffic areas, walk in single file and avoid walking more than two abreast.
Wearing bright and high-visibility clothing is essential during daytime walks, while reflective clothing is recommended for nighttime walks.
Carry a torch or flashlight when walking at night for better visibility.
Always stay aware of other road users and be cautious of their presence.
If you're walking in a group of more than 20 people, walk on the left-hand side of the road, following the direction of traffic.
Never walk on the road after consuming alcohol, as it poses a significant danger regardless of the time of day.
Prioritize your safety when planning a social outing by arranging a safe means of getting home in advance.

5. Different types of road crossings and how to use them

Here are some designated areas where you can safely cross the road:

Important things to remember before using a zebra crossing:

Remember that you do not have the right-of-way over traffic until you step onto the crossing. However, you should never step onto a crossing in a way that forces a driver to abruptly brake or swerve. Drivers should slow down as they approach the zebra crossing and come to a stop behind the stop line, if there is one, allowing you to cross. You must avoid crossing within the area marked by zig-zag white lines on either side of the crossing. If there are no zig-zag lines, you should not cross within a 15-meter area on either side of the crossing.

To safely cross at a zebra crossing:

Always keep a close eye on approaching traffic and be aware of your surroundings. Indicate your intention to cross by placing one foot on the crossing. Wait until the traffic has come to a complete stop before you start crossing. If there is a central island, treat each side as a separate crossing.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, road safety is a crucial aspect of our daily lives as pedestrians. By following the tips and guidelines mentioned in this blog, you can significantly reduce the risk of accidents and ensure your own safety and the safety of others. Remember to always be alert, stay visible with reflective or high-visibility clothing, choose appropriate crossing points, and make informed decisions while walking alongside or crossing roads.

By practicing good road safety habits, we can create a safer environment for everyone, whether we are on foot, cycling, or driving. Let's strive to make road safety a top priority and play our part in building a community where pedestrians can walk confidently and without unnecessary risks.

So, let's take that extra step to protect ourselves and make our roads a safer place for all. Stay safe, be responsible, and enjoy your journeys with peace of mind.

Remember, every step you take towards road safety counts!

For more information on road safety visit: https://www.bodylitegear.com/blogs/road-safety-information
or visit
https://www.rsa.ie