Every pedestrian who walks around after the sun goes down needs to be well aware of the potential dangers. Staying safe in bad light conditions is essential because if you are not proactive, you will suffer, as the risk of being hit by a driver is sky high. This guide has been put together to highlight said dangers and explore some strategies that should ensure safety is always at the top of the agenda.
The Dangers of Being a Pedestrian in the Dark
The main danger of being a pedestrian in the dark is that without protective action, you are vulnerable to hit and runs, general accidents, and even causing crashes that don’t involve you directly. So, why run the risk at all? Well, some people do, and it is not a safe or smart move. What should you do to ensure your safety is taken care of?
Think About What You Wear
The most straightforward way to make yourself visible in bad light conditions is to think about what you are wearing on your journey. Any clothing that you wear, regardless of whether it is an all-black ensemble or something with a splash of rainbow, will be hard to spot in the absence of light. When you consider that colors are only really discernible through the reflection of a light source, it makes sense that you would need to embrace this theory and wear reflective patches, jackets, or even shoes to make you more noticeable to drivers. Wearing lighter, brighter outfits will also help you get noticed.
Top tips include:
- Buying a reflective jacket
- Putting a fluorescent patch on your hat, trousers, and shoes
- Wearing bright colors from head to toe
Carry a Light
Whether it is a headtorch or a flashlight, make sure you have some source of artificial lighting on your person. This should preferably be switched on at all times and carried firmly either on your head or in your hand. Any car on the road will notice your light before they see you and it will act as a natural red flag in their brain because night-time drivers are psychologically conditioned to watch out for the headlights of other vehicles, so the connotation is already there.
Leave Your Phone in Your Pocket
If you are staring at your phone, you are a distracted pedestrian. It will be so much harder to be in tune with what’s going on around you and make it incredibly difficult to notice oncoming traffic or even other pedestrians and cyclists. So, while it may be tempting and even make you feel a bit safer to have your phone in your hand as you walk, it should stay in your pocket. It also means things like crossing the road will be easier to concentrate on, which is really beneficial for your general well-being.
Never Assume Someone Can See You
Until you receive some kind of acknowledgment or visual confirmation that a driver knows you are there, work on the assumption that they have not noticed you. By acting in this way, you are never taking any chances with your life, and you will get into the habit of making cars notice your existence. You can put your hand up to signal them to stop or try to make eye contact with the driver too. It is always better to highlight your presence rather than, for example, crossing the road without knowing if someone can see you. This eliminates the risk of a car setting off while you are walking across their path.
Don’t Walk on the Road
We know it is not always avoidable, but if you can steer clear of the main carriageways then you absolutely should do so. Walk instead on the dedicated pedestrian paths because cars rarely drive anywhere other than the road. If the only option is to walk where vehicles are driving, ensure that you move facing any oncoming traffic. This not only increases the chance of a car spotting you but also gives you the opportunity to move out of the way. Remember, you will probably see them before they see you so you should take action first. You never know if a driver is distracted by their phone or something else in the car, so it is worth being hypervigilant in this circumstance.
Stick to Well-Lit Sidewalks
Again, if there is the option to traverse about where there are streetlamps and shopfronts, you should take it! This means avoiding any tempting shortcuts that you may take in the daytime. When you weigh up the pros and cons, it makes sense that you would want to take the quickest, most direct route to your destination. However, if this means walking down a way that is unlit then it is just not worth the risk.
Avoid Walking Alone
Though it’s not always practical to avoid it, walking alone at night with poor lighting is the most dangerous thing of all. You are more vulnerable to being hit or hurt in another way, and that is why it is always preferable to move about as a group.
When to Talk to Our Team
You may be wondering if you have enough reason to get in touch. Well it’s simple; if you are a pedestrian and you have suffered from a vehicle hitting you, we can help. Speak with one of our team and this can be eye opening in terms of what you are able to pursue compensation wise. You may have costly medical expenses or be suffering from prolonged mental health consequences as a result of the incident, and everything is worth a conversation.
We have worked with a range of clients who have suffered as a result of pedestrian accidents. These cases are often serious because the risk of something like a catastrophic injury is always a looming threat. If you need support, get in touch and we will discuss what happens next. Remember, stay safe, and think smart.
Make an appointment at our office which you can find at the address below.
700 Bishop St, Ste 2100, Honolulu, HI, 96813
If you want to get in touch via telephone instead, call us today for a free consultation on (808) 745-1592.