How to Survive a Car Accident as a Pedestrian

Avoiding an Accident

For future-proofing yourself against accidents, the following is recommended.

1. Stay on designated walkways. Sidewalks and crosswalks are generally safe havens for pedestrians on the road, so try to use them whenever possible.^[1]

   1. If you can't walk on a sidewalk, walk so that you're facing oncoming traffic. That is, if drivers stay to the right side of the road, you should be walking on the left side of the road.
2. Watch for traffic. Look right and left before crossing the street, even if you're in a crosswalk and the signal is green.

   1. Be aware that having the right of way won't prevent you from being hit. An incapacitated or drowsy driver won't notice that you're on the sidewalk, or that you have a crosswalk signal. Pay attention to erratic driving and get well out of the way, quickly.
   2. Stay alert. Keep your eyes and your attention on your surroundings. If you're walking through a high-traffic area, consider putting away your phone and not listening to music so you can devote your attention to staying safe.
3. Make yourself visible to drivers. Ensure that motorists can see you well enough in advance to steer away from a potential accident. Here's what you can do:

   1. Wear bright clothing. Or, if you'll be walking at night, wear clothing with reflective strips (or place them on your backpack) or carry a flashlight.
   2. Stay out of the blind spot. If you can't see the driver's face in his or her driver's side mirror, you're in the blind spot. Be aware that the driver might not know you're there. This should include when the driver making a right turn is so intent on checking cars coming from the left, that even if it's your walk signal, the driver neglects to check for pedestrians when making the right turn.
   3. Make eye contact^[2]. If you're going to cross the road in front of a car that is stopped or in the process of stopping, try to make eye contact with the driver. This verifies to both of you that the other is there.
4. When in doubt, don't cross. If you suspect that the driver can't see you, or that you might not be able to make it across the street in time to avoid traffic, wait it out. Traffic moves in cycles, and a better opportunity might open up in a minute or two. You might get a few minutes behind, but you'll potentially save yourself from a risky crossing.

   1. Find an alternate route. If you're having trouble getting across a busy road, consider walking a few blocks away to another crosswalk. Again, it's better to spend a few more minutes getting across the road than crossing dangerously.