Wearing Earbuds Can Be A Factor In A New Haven Pedestrian Accident

October is National Pedestrian Safety Month and we’re walking you through some of the important tips and tricks to keep yourself out of a New Haven pedestrian accident this and every month.

The city of New Haven is one of the most walkable cities in the United States and is consistently ranked as such by national magazines and websites.  There are no shortages of opportunities to get out and enjoy the city on foot.  That is why it is so important to not only get out and enjoy the city, but to also do it safely.

Today, we’re talking about the dangers of wearing earbuds while walking about through the city.  It is not uncommon to see people of all stripes walking with earbuds in their ears as they roam the city, but could these people be putting themselves at risk of getting injured?  The simple answer is yes.  We aren’t suggesting ditching the earbuds all together, but we are suggesting taking a few steps to keep yourself safe while you’re walking with earbuds in your ears.

1.) Keep the volume low.  We’ve been known to crank up a tune or two, but with the volume high on your earbuds it can be incredibly difficult to hear the world around you.  Hearing the world when you’re out for a walk is almost as vital as being able to see the world around you.  Keeping the volume of your music or podcast low will allow you to enjoy your entertainment while also keeping yourself safe.

2.) When crossing the street, pause your music or podcast so you can hear on-coming traffic.  Most earbuds these days allow you to pause what you’re listening to with the simple tap of your finger so you should be able to do this with minimal interruption to your stride.  Being able to hear on-coming traffic and in some cases traffic that you cannot see yet will allow you to be extra careful as you’re crossing the street.

3.) Take them out.  If you’re at a particularly busy intersection where there are a lot of things happening all at once you may want to just take your earbuds out of your ears all together so you can make sure you are interacting with the situation safely.  It can be frustrating to interrupt your flow that way, but it can also be frustrating to get injured in an accident that was avoidable if you are involved in an accident.

Going out for a walk or run can be so invigorating and what a great city we live in to be able to do that with such ease, but wearing earbuds during that walk or run can be dangerous.  If you are serious about avoiding a New Haven pedestrian accident you may consider skipping the entertainment for your walk or run and do the safest thing you can do and not use earbuds at all.  It may not be as fun, but it may save you some headaches in the long run.

If you do get injured, whether you have your earbuds in or not, you may wish to speak with an attorney who can help you navigate the situation.  Contact our office and one of our experienced attorneys will review the details of your injury and work with you to protect your long-term interests.