Take Steps to Avoid Injury or Death While Walking

We rarely are more vulnerable than when walking in urban areas, crossing busy streets and negotiating traffic. And we all are pedestrians from time to time, so it's important to pay attention to what is going on around us.

Distracted walking incidents are on the rise, and everyone with a cell phone is at risk. According to a Governors Highway Safety Association report, nearly 6,000 pedestrians were struck and killed by motor vehicles in 2017. This number mirrors 2016 fatalities. Total pedestrian deaths in 2016, both traffic- and nontraffic-related, were 7,330, according to Injury Facts.

The solution: Stop using phones while walking, and not just in crosswalks and intersections. Over half of distracted walking injuries occur in our own homes, proving that we need to stay aware of our surroundings, whether they’re new or familiar.

While many communities are implementing measures to become more "walkable," like adding more paths and traffic-calming measures, there still is a long way to go to keep pedestrians safe. Malls surrounded by parking lots, few sidewalks, blind intersections and high traffic areas all contribute to pedestrian fatalities and injuries.

Here are a few tips to promote safe walking for children and adults of all ages:

Look left, right and left again before crossing the street; looking left a second time is necessary because a car can cover a lot of distance in a short amount of time
Make eye contact with drivers of oncoming vehicles to make sure they see you
Be aware of drivers even when you're in a crosswalk; vehicles have blind spots
Don't wear headphones while walking
Never use a cell phone or other electronic device while walking
If your view is blocked, move to a place where you can see oncoming traffic
Never rely on a car to stop
Children younger than 10 should cross the street with an adult
Only cross at designated crosswalks
Wear bright and/or reflective clothing
Walk in groups

Walking is one of the best things we can do to stay healthy, but only if we put safety first. At the National Safety Council, we don't believe in accidents. Please join us in doing everything you can to prevent senseless injuries and deaths.