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Prepare yourself for spring and summer walks

Walking around the Stamford area might be on your to-do list for the warmer weather months. If you are planning on doing this, you need to make sure that you know how to remain a safe pedestrian. After all, your goal is to make it home at the end of your journey.

When you are walking around, you need to make sure that you are paying attention to your surroundings. Don’t become so focused on your phone or caught up in the song playing in your earbuds that you forget that there are vehicles and other pedestrians around you.

The sidewalks are the best place for you to walk; however, not all sidewalks are smooth and easily navigated. You need to make sure that you are keeping an eye out for hazards like uneven pavement or potholes in the sidewalks. Watching for these might help you avoid tripping and falling.

You have to make sure that you are crossing the street safely. Many people will cross at an intersection just because the crosswalk signal is green. Don’t do this without checking traffic. A distracted driver might not notice that he or she has to stop for the crosswalk until it is too late.

It is usually best to err on the side of caution when you are walking around these streets. Try to let drivers know what you are doing so that they can react appropriately. Even though you have the right of way in many cases, don’t try to tempt fate. If you don’t see a driver stopping to allow you to cross the street, don’t try to dart in front of the driver.

There is a chance that a driver will strike you even if you are doing everything safely. If this happens, set your priorities so that you can heal but don’t neglect seeking compensation to try to recover your financial losses.

Source: Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center, “Safety Tips for Pedestrians,” accessed April 13, 2018

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