As the number of Florida citizens working to improve their fitness by walking increases, risks to the health of these pedestrians continue to climb. Limited access to sidewalks and walking paths in some locations increase hazards, as do bicycles, scooters and skateboards on walking paths.
Considering Pedestrian Goals
There are pedestrians who walk for the joy of stretching their legs. There are pedestrians who have a pet that needs some exercise. Finally, there are pedestrians that need to walk to the local market for a grocery pickup.
All of these people can increase their safety by increasing their visibility. For those who want to walk early in the day to avoid the heat, highly visible clothing can help. A white or reflective ball cap is a simple first step to being seen. If you need a jacket, add reflective strips to it to draw the eye of drivers. A reflective vest can also make you more visible.
Your dog can also use protection, such as a harness with a reflective strip. Add a blinking solar light to their leash or invest in a reflective dog leash to create a visual distraction. The driver may not see the crosswalk until they see the blinking light, but they will be drawn out of driver hypnosis and brought into the awareness of their surroundings.
If you have a personal shopping cart, a walker or another device that comes with you on each trip, load it up with reflective lights. A flashing string of holiday lights on your grocery cart could be exactly what you need to get a smile from the clerk and be seen by drivers.
Colorful Crosswalks
Those who need to walk on roadways that also include cars should always use the crosswalk. Take the time to hit the button so you have enough time to cross safely with the light. Avoid any diagonal travel across several lanes; even if there aren’t cars coming, your risk of a fall and of lingering in the path of oncoming traffic will be increased during a diagonal crossing.
Another defensive step for walkers is to keep an eye on right turn lanes. Florida, like most states, allows a right turn on red. For pedestrians, this can be extremely hazardous. The driver is watching for oncoming traffic and noting that the light is still red. They may not be watching the crosswalk. If you see a driver creeping into the crosswalk to make a right turn on red, give them a wave. If bright, colorful crosswalks that include a visual barrier have a history of making drivers aware. If roads are a dark asphalt, a light concrete or red brick crosswalk can draw the eye of drivers. Curved sections of concrete or another source of visual contrast can also draw the eye.
Pay Attention to the Sun
The bright Florida sun is a great gift to the plant life and the tourism industry. However, it can be a terrible hazard for pedestrians. Those driving into the morning sun on Florida streets may struggle to notice pedestrian crosswalks.
Stoplights are easy to see; other cars on the road may be slowing down in front of you to increase your awareness. However, a crosswalk light can be tough to notice if you’re driving directly into the sun. Pedestrians at crosswalks can be at risk of inattentive drivers and those blinded by sunlight. Do your best, as a pedestrian, to be eye-catching so you can make drivers aware of yellow and red crosswalk lights.
Uninsured Drivers Are on the Rise
Recent jumps in the price of car insurance have left some Florida drivers with difficult choices. Drivers may choose to go without insurance, leaving pedestrians and their fellow drivers in a hazardous spot.
The number of hit and run accidents in Florida are on the rise. In 2022, the state saw 144 pedestrians killed in hit-and-run accidents. Many of these accidents include bicycles as well as pedestrians. Whether a driver leaves the scene of a pedestrian strike due to negligence or because they fear penalties for their lack of insurance, the risk to pedestrians remains the same. Vigilance on the part of drivers and walkers alike is key to lowering these risks.
No matter the reason for your walk, you have a right to share the road with vehicles. Knowing your right of way is helpful, but being ready to give it up can save your life. Because drivers can be distracted, pedestrians face greater hazards. Protect yourself by being a defensive walker as you travel the streets of Florida cities.
