Tips that can save a pedestrian’s life

The 8th UN Global Road Safety Week took place from 12 to 18 May.

This year’s focus was to make walking and cycling safer through stakeholder interventions, among them governments, international agencies, civil society, businesses and schools.

Road traffic injuries are a leading cause of death and disability worldwide, with nearly 1.2 million people killed and up to 50 million injured each year.

“Pedestrian and cyclist fatalities are the leading killer of young people aged 5 to 29 years. The UN says, globally, more than 1 of every 4 deaths occurs among pedestrians and cyclists,” said MasterDrive CEO Eugene Herbert.

“In recent years, there has been encouragement of walking and cycling instead of using vehicles as it is a sustainable and economically advantageous mode of transport.

“Along with this movement, attention also needs to be paid to creating conditions where pedestrians and cyclists are not at greater risk of injury or fatality.

“Irrespective of whether or not government and other organisations make a safe environment for road users, drivers need to be aware of all road users, whether in a vehicle or not.”

Driving techniques to reduce pedestrian accidents:

• Try to make eye contact with pedestrians, never assume they know you are there and aware of your intended movement

• Exert extra caution and slow down in areas with high pedestrian traffic such as in city centres and near schools

• Check your blind spots for pedestrians while driving

• Remember pedestrians always have right of way. Even if they do something wrong, it is the driver’s responsibility to avoid colliding with them

• Pay extra attention at night for people at the side of the road or a flash of movement

• If you see a pedestrian showing signs of intoxication, increase the distance between you and them, and be ready to act if they stumble and fall into your path

• Avoid distracted driving as it becomes an even bigger danger when pedestrians are on the road

• Keep your lights on at all hours when driving to increase your visibility
Follow these steps and play your part in reducing pedestrian road accidents, fatalities and injuries with a few adjustments to your driving.

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