Walking is great. You can get fresh air and exercise, and it doesn’t cost you a thing. However, all of the benefits of walking disappear rapidly when you are hurt in a pedestrian accident. For this reason, we want to debunk several myths surrounding walking and help improve your safety.
Setting the Record Straight
Following are three common myths held by many pedestrians—along with the real scoop:
Myth #1: You are always safe in a crosswalk.
Truth: Actually, crosswalks are the scene of many pedestrian accidents because drivers fail to yield to pedestrians or fail to look for them before making left- or right-hand turns.
Myth #2: It is always safe to cross the street when the light is green.
Truth: A green light is a signal for cars to cross the street—it isn’t intended for pedestrians. You should be following the pedestrian traffic signals when crossing at a traffic light. And before you walk across the street, make sure you check for traffic first.
Myth #3: Drivers will stop if you are crossing at a green light or in a crosswalk.
Truth: Drivers don’t always see pedestrians. In fact, they may be looking in another direction, texting, talking on the phone, or drinking coffee, and they may fail to yield to pedestrians. Some distracted drivers may even run a red light.
Intersections are very dangerous, so pedestrians should always look both ways (left, right, and left again) before stepping off a curb and out into the street—even at a crosswalk or green light.
Can you think of some other pedestrian-safety myths? Share them in the comments section below—we would love to hear from you.
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