Lexington, SC - 03/19/2021 (Sheriff Jay Koon) - With warmer weather coming up, more people are likely to be out walking down a city block, neighborhood sidewalk or country road. While there are many actions pedestrians can take to stay safe, there are more actions that only the driver can take.
Following the posted speed limit is a big safety guideline to keep in mind and follow. Driving at the posted speed limit provides the driver time to “see, identify and react” in time to brake for pedestrians. When a driver speeds, it increases reaction time, greatly increasing the likelihood the driver could hit the pedestrian. If you are speeding, pedestrians can seem to “come out of nowhere.”
Here are a few easy tips to remember while driving:
• Always yield to pedestrians in crosswalks, school zones and bus stops, and never pass vehicles stopped at a crosswalk.
• Never drive while under the influence of any type of drug or alcohol.
• Slow down; never assume the person walking sees you.
It is important to remember children are often the smallest pedestrians, making them harder to see. Now is the time to teach your children what safe walking looks like; remember school-age children need supervision when playing near a road.
Following these safety guidelines keeps everyone safe. Safety is a shared responsibility. At some point, we’re all a pedestrian.
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