Pedestrian Safety Tips

Last year, in excess of 200 pedestrians died in the streets and highways of Puerto Rico. This figure represents around 40 percent of the total death in traffic accidents. Most of these deaths could have been prevented following simple safety rules. Useful advises that should be followed by pedestrians when crossing a highway are listed below:

• Obey traffic signals at all times.

• Always cross the street at the intersections.

• Wait for the green light to be on your favor.

• Look to both sides before crossing an intersection.

• Use pedestrian bridges.

• Use clothes with bright colors when walking at night.

• Walk only in sidewalks; if they are not available, walk in the edge of the road or in the left shoulder of the road against the traffic flow.

• If you have to cross an intersection and there are not crossing or pedestrian walkway, the right of way corresponds to the vehicles.

• Do not distribute flyers, products or other articles in the roadway.

• Hitchhiking, laying or sitting in the pavement can be very dangerous.

• Never assume that you have the right to way. There are many drivers that ignore traffic signs and sometimes run over persons on the pedestrian walkway.

• When there is bad weather, care should be taken that the umbrella or raincoat used does not block the visibility of the approaching vehicles.

• Drinking alcohol and walking can be as dangerous as drinking alcohol and driving. If you were drinking alcohol, public transportation should be used, or ask someone who has not drank to take you back home.