That time of year, pedestrian fatality risk.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm a driver, biker, and walker.

Clip on LED lights are now super cheap--light yourself up.

Put one on your bag/jacket/shoe when out after dusk/before dawn. Also, if you are walking a dog, put one on your pup/leash. Bikes should be lit front and rear at a minimum.

The reflective strips on shoes and clothes are remarkably effective, but lights are even better.

Every day I walk from the metro to my house, four blocks. I should attach an LED light to myself? Would you?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You wouldn't believe the number of walkers/runners out in the dark in dark clothing and no lighting or reflective gear except for the tiny strip on their running shoes. For the love of God, wear something that makes you seen by cars, for your sake and the drivers' sake!

I'm curious how you knew these people were there, as obviously you couldn't see them, right?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm a driver, biker, and walker.

Clip on LED lights are now super cheap--light yourself up.

Put one on your bag/jacket/shoe when out after dusk/before dawn. Also, if you are walking a dog, put one on your pup/leash. Bikes should be lit front and rear at a minimum.

The reflective strips on shoes and clothes are remarkably effective, but lights are even better.

Every day I walk from the metro to my house, four blocks. I should attach an LED light to myself? Would you?

I do. I have a one inch long LED light that I keep in a purse or jacket pocket. I have to recharge it every two months. It’s really NBD.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm a driver, biker, and walker.

Clip on LED lights are now super cheap--light yourself up.

Put one on your bag/jacket/shoe when out after dusk/before dawn. Also, if you are walking a dog, put one on your pup/leash. Bikes should be lit front and rear at a minimum.

The reflective strips on shoes and clothes are remarkably effective, but lights are even better.

Every day I walk from the metro to my house, four blocks. I should attach an LED light to myself? Would you?

If you don't have streetlights, yeah, an LED would be a good idea.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There’s a crosswalk on a route I take. It is in the middle of the block, on a top of a smallish hill, cars parked all the way up to it. There’s no sign to indicate it’s there. On top of it all it is right by the park with a playground. I’m always so cautious approaching it because people just step out from behind a parked car expecting you to guess they’re there. Little common sense, people.

As you should be. That is the point of the crosswalk.

I think they are saying that pedestrians using that crosswalk should wait until no cars are approaching, even though they have the legal right to use it at any time. In my opinion that’s good advice. You can be right and dead, as someone upthread mentioned. Unfortunately a lot of pedestrians don’t think this way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There’s a crosswalk on a route I take. It is in the middle of the block, on a top of a smallish hill, cars parked all the way up to it. There’s no sign to indicate it’s there. On top of it all it is right by the park with a playground. I’m always so cautious approaching it because people just step out from behind a parked car expecting you to guess they’re there. Little common sense, people.

As you should be. That is the point of the crosswalk.

I think they are saying that pedestrians using that crosswalk should wait until no cars are approaching, even though they have the legal right to use it at any time. In my opinion that’s good advice. You can be right and dead, as someone upthread mentioned. Unfortunately a lot of pedestrians don’t think this way.

You can't cross against the lights in a crosswalk.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You wouldn't believe the number of walkers/runners out in the dark in dark clothing and no lighting or reflective gear except for the tiny strip on their running shoes. For the love of God, wear something that makes you seen by cars, for your sake and the drivers' sake!

I'm curious how you knew these people were there, as obviously you couldn't see them, right?

Not sure why you're arguing against common sense. You see them when it's almost too late. Those aren't odds I'd take especially when drivers are themselves distracted.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm a driver, biker, and walker.

Clip on LED lights are now super cheap--light yourself up.

Put one on your bag/jacket/shoe when out after dusk/before dawn. Also, if you are walking a dog, put one on your pup/leash. Bikes should be lit front and rear at a minimum.

The reflective strips on shoes and clothes are remarkably effective, but lights are even better.

Every day I walk from the metro to my house, four blocks. I should attach an LED light to myself? Would you?

LED are bad for the eyes, and if it's unfiltered, a direct line of sight to the diode can temporarily blind a driver who then is more likely to hit you. Just stay out of the road silly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm a driver, biker, and walker.

Clip on LED lights are now super cheap--light yourself up.

Put one on your bag/jacket/shoe when out after dusk/before dawn. Also, if you are walking a dog, put one on your pup/leash. Bikes should be lit front and rear at a minimum.

The reflective strips on shoes and clothes are remarkably effective, but lights are even better.

Strips are safer. That's why reflective strips are used for safety workers and not lights that can actually cause accidents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Pedestrian fatalities tend to increase after the fall time change, when the end of daylight saving time leads to earlier sunsets. This creates a higher risk because it becomes darker earlier, catching pedestrians and drivers off guard. This is despite the fact that there are fewer pedestrians out compared to spring and summer.
Safety tips for pedestrians
Increase visibility: Wear bright or reflective clothing to be more visible to drivers, particularly during dawn and dusk.
Walk during daylight: If possible, adjust your walking routine to occur during daylight hours.
Stay alert: Avoid distractions like using your phone or wearing earbuds that can prevent you from hearing approaching traffic.
Be mindful of drivers: Remember that drivers may be drowsy or less attentive, and be cautious when crossing streets.

I blame 95% of pedestrian accidents on pedestrians. People need to pay attention, and get off their phones when walking and crossing streets. Also, a crosswalk does not mean you can just jump into the road to cross at any time. Cars only need to yield to pedestrians IN the crosswalk not those standing there waiting to cross.

A pedestrian who is not "paying attention" while literally crossing a street is more at fault than the driver who is not "paying attention" and hits them.

THIS. ^ It's always up to the person walking to be cautious and it's always their fault if they get hit when walking in a road that is meant for cars.
Same for bicycle riders, etc.

roads are always "meant for cars."

This. Motor vehicles get the right of way because they are larger, faster, more dangerous, so common sense dictates they take precedent.
Bicycles, walkers, etc. also are not directly taxed to use the roads like vehicle drivers are, so they have less say.

[Anonymous]

I blame 95% of pedestrian accidents on pedestrians. People need to pay attention, and get off their phones when walking and crossing streets. Also, a crosswalk does not mean you can just jump into the road to cross at any time. Cars only need to yield to pedestrians IN the crosswalk not those standing there waiting to cross.

As someone who walks across crosswalks on a daily basis, I usually look in the car of the people trying to turn to make sure I am safe. The drivers are often playing on their phones while they are driving or look angry from having to wait a few seconds to turn or both. Distracted driving kills. The stat is BS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I blame 95% of pedestrian accidents on pedestrians. People need to pay attention, and get off their phones when walking and crossing streets. Also, a crosswalk does not mean you can just jump into the road to cross at any time. Cars only need to yield to pedestrians IN the crosswalk not those standing there waiting to cross.

As someone who walks across crosswalks on a daily basis, I usually look in the car of the people trying to turn to make sure I am safe. The drivers are often playing on their phones while they are driving or look angry from having to wait a few seconds to turn or both. Distracted driving kills. The stat is BS.

For sure. Many times more than drunk driving, which gets all the attention.

[Anonymous]

I just saw a runner out in the pitch black wearing all black. All of my running gear has reflectors in it, including my shoes. I could not see this runner, and it was a black person.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I just saw a runner out in the pitch black wearing all black. All of my running gear has reflectors in it, including my shoes. I could not see this runner, and it was a black person.

In for the responses.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
I blame 95% of pedestrian accidents on pedestrians. People need to pay attention, and get off their phones when walking and crossing streets. Also, a crosswalk does not mean you can just jump into the road to cross at any time. Cars only need to yield to pedestrians IN the crosswalk not those standing there waiting to cross.

It is YOUR responsibility as the operator of the four ton murder machine to not murder anyone with your four ton pile of steel machinery. Hope that helps.