Pedestrian/Walking Safety in Anchorage
Anchorage is a beautiful city with plenty of outdoor activities and scenery to enjoy. However, it’s important to be aware of your surroundings, the risks associated with walking in our city, and take precautions for safety. This blog post will provide an overview of some safety tips for pedestrians in Anchorage. Keep these tips in mind when you are out and about in our city!
Tips to Avoid Pedestrian Accidents
Whether you’re out for a walk or just running errands, it’s important to be aware of the dangers that can occur while walking outdoors. Here are some tips to help you stay safe while walking in Anchorage:
- Look both ways before crossing the street, even if you have the right of way. Pay attention to your surroundings and be on the lookout for any potential hazards.
- Watch for cars turning into or out of driveways. Pedestrians in Anchorage need to be extra cautious when walking, as car accidents are a common occurrence. Drivers in the city are often distracted and may not see pedestrians until it’s too late.
- Always walk on the sidewalk when possible and cross the street at designated crosswalks. If there is no sidewalk, walk facing traffic so that you can see oncoming vehicles.
- Wear bright clothing or reflective gear so you can be easily seen. This will help drivers see you, especially in low-light conditions.
- Stick to well-lit and well-traveled routes. Avoid shortcuts through deserted areas.
- Avoid walking while distracted by your phone or other devices. It is important to be aware of your surroundings at all times. If you must listen to music or talk on the phone, use one earbud so you can still hear what is going on around you.
- Be extra cautious at night or in poor weather conditions. When visibility is reduced, drivers may have difficulty seeing you.
By following these simple tips, you can help keep yourself safe while walking in Anchorage without incident.
How to Avoid Pedestrian Accidents For Drivers
Although pedestrians have a responsibility to keep themselves safe when walking, drivers also play a role in preventing pedestrian accidents. Drivers should always follow the rules of the road and yield to pedestrians who have the right of way.
Here are some tips to help you stay safe:
- Obey the speed limit and other traffic rules. Speeding increases the chances of an accident and makes it more difficult to stop in time if someone unexpectedly walks into the road.
- Be extra cautious in areas where pedestrians are likely to be present, such as near schools, playgrounds, and crosswalks. Slow down and be prepared to stop if necessary.
- Stay alert and distraction-free while driving. Don’t use your phone or participate in other activities that take your attention away from the road.
- Use extra caution when driving at night or in bad weather conditions. Pedestrians are more difficult to see in these conditions, so it’s important to take things slowly and be on the lookout for anyone who might walk into the road.
- The most important rule is to never drink and drive. Even a small amount of alcohol can impair your ability to drive safely. If you’re going to be drinking, hand over your keys to someone else.
Pedestrian accidents can be tragic and often occur because of driver negligence. By following these tips, drivers can help make our roads safer for everyone.
5 Tips For Keeping Your Kids Safe as Pedestrians
Children are at a higher risk of being the victims of pedestrian accidents than adults; therefore, parents must take extra precautions to protect their children when they are out walking. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, pedestrian injuries are the fifth leading cause of injury-related deaths for children between the ages of five and nine.
There are a few things you can do to help ensure that your kids stay safe when walking around town. Here are five tips for keeping your kids safe as pedestrians:
- Teach them to look both ways before crossing the street, even if there’s no traffic visible.
- Make sure they know how to identify crosswalks and intersections.
- Instruct them to use sidewalks when available, and if there is no sidewalk, to stay as close to the edge of the road as possible.
- Warn them about cars that are turning, backing up, or pulling out of parking spaces.
- Encourage them to wear bright colors or reflective clothing when walking, biking, or skating so that they’re more visible to drivers.
Following these five tips can help avoid accidents and ensure that your children make it safely to their destination. Remember to always be alert when crossing the street and use caution when walking in busy areas. Stay safe out there!