#streetsafety

New York’s vibrant streetside dining scene is here to stay—but so are the risks. What happens when a driver loses control and ends up in a restaurant’s outdoor setup?

If you’ve been injured while dining outside, you may have a claim against the driver, the city, or even the business owner. But proving who’s at fault isn’t always simple.

👉 Learn your rights and what steps to take after an outdoor dining accident: https://lockamylawyers.com/blog/legal-considerations-for-outdoor-dining-car-accidents-in-new-york/

 In order to be safe on the road as a pedestrian, not only the drivers of the vehicles have to be attentive. Of course drivers of motorized vehicles have to be considerate for pedestrians, who are less protected then themselves. But also you as a pedestrian, can prevent incidents from happening to a large extent. Here are ten tips to avoid collisions with vehicles:

1.     Use crosswalks and designated places when crossing the street, as drivers have to stop to let you go over the street. But remember that traffic does not have to stop until someone has moved onto the crossing, so make sure that the driver has noticed that you want to cross the street.

2.     Stay on sidewalks when possible and avoid walking along highways or other roadways where pedestrians are prohibited. This will reduce your chances to get involved in collisions.

3.     Avoid crossing near the crest of a hill or on a bend – only cross at places where you’re visible to drivers. If you cross at very hidden places, drivers sometimes just don’t have the chance to stop in time.

4.     Keep looking for oncoming traffic while crossing the road. Just because you don’t see cars approaching when you start to cross, doesn’t mean there won’t come one in a few seconds. Especially behind bends cars can suddenly appear in your field of vision, although the street seemed to be free before.

5.     Always establish eye contact with the driver to ensure you have been seen – even if you have the right of way.

6.     Avoid crossing from between parked vehicles. Drivers do not expect people to step out onto the road between cars parked at the roadside.

7.     Wear light-colored clothing or reflective fabric that glows in the dark, especially when walking outside at night. Drivers will recognize you from a longer distance and drive more cautiously and slowly.

8.     Don’t walk drunk on the street. Alcohol limits the clear perception of the traffic around you.

9.     Be aware of traffic rules. You should know the rules vehicles around you must follow to be able to predict what drivers will do. This will help increase your safety.

10.  Stay alert and don’t be distracted by your smartphone. Your life is your greatest asset, a whatsapp message can wait till you’re home or at least till you finished crossing the street. Also don’t wear headphones, as your ears help you to identify what is happening around you.

It’s also your responsibility to pay attention to the traffic around you. Keep listening, looking both ways and always be attentive for the traffic around you, in case a driver doesn’t see you.

Now it’s your turn: Have you ever violated any of these rules and been in danger because of that? Tell us by sharing your experiences or by adding additional tips!