Five Tips For Driving And Avoiding A New Haven Pedestrian Accident

The staggering fact of the matter is that every 81 seconds in the United States a pedestrian was killed in an accident in 2020.  This number is extraordinarily high and by taking a few steps while driving you will be able to insure that you are not one of the drivers that are putting people who are out walking, biking, or running at risk.  With just a few safety tips and the knowledge that speed kills you will be well positioned to be a safe driver around everyone who is not in a vehicle.

This time of year, especially, when the weather is cooling down and there are shoppers out shopping, the likelihood of a New Haven pedestrian accident increases and as a driver you need to improve your safety skills to deal with the increased level of traffic.  While the safety of pedestrians is not only incumbent on you following the rules, you will certainly go a long way to doing your part by following the rules of the road.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) there are some very important and specific things you can do to keep those who you share the road with safe while you’re driving through the city.

1.) When you are turning AND when you are entering a crosswalk, you should be fully prepared to slow down and/or stop if a pedestrian enters the road.

2.) Always stay alert whenever you are driving, especially in a densely populated area of the city.  Being aware of your surroundings and the possibility that pedestrians may be crossing your path will go a long way in keeping them safe.

3.) It is always your responsibility as a driver of a motorized vehicle to yield to pedestrians who are in a crosswalk.  You should also stop far enough back from the crosswalk so that other drivers can see the people in the crosswalk and stop with an appropriate amount of distance to keep everyone safe.

4.) Do not, under any circumstance, pass a vehicle that is stopped at a crosswalk.  Even if you cannot see the pedestrian there may be someone in the crosswalk that is in your blind spot and driving around the vehicle in front of you could lead to you unexpectedly hitting the pedestrian that you couldn’t see.

5.) The tip/rule that goes for paying attention to pedestrians as well as any time you get behind the wheel and that is, never drive while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.  Driving under the influence slows your reaction time and will make it less likely that you’ll be able to stop suddenly when presented with a change in the situation.

There are few things more important than driving safely to avoid a New Haven pedestrian accident.  One of the decidedly special things about our city is that it is a very walk-able city with a lot of foot traffic from pedestrians.  As a driver in the city is your responsibility to follow some rules and make sure that you are taking the necessary precautions to keep those who are out enjoying the Elm City safe while they are out walking.

No matter the type of accident or the injury that results from it, you may need to speak with an experienced attorney.  Contact our office and one of our attorneys will speak with you about the details of your situation and work with you to plot a course forward.