Safety Tips for Walkers

It’s a beautiful day outside and you decide to go for a walk to get some exercise and fresh air. Have you taken the time to go over your safety plan first? Many people just go for a walk and never even think about what they need to do to stay safe. Here are some tips to have a safe walk:

  •Wear bright/light colored clothing and reflective materials.

  •Carry a flashlight when walking at night.

  •Cross in a well-lit area at night.

  •Stand clear of buses, hedges, parked cars or other obstacles before crossing so drivers can see you.

  •Always walk on the sidewalk; if there is no sidewalk, walk facing traffic.

  •Stay sober; walking while impaired increases your chance of being struck.

  •Don't assume vehicles will stop; make eye contact with drivers; don't just look at the vehicle. If a driver is on a cell phone, they may not be paying enough attention to drive safely.

  •Don't rely solely on pedestrian signals; look before you cross the road.

  •Be alert to engine noise or backup lights on cars when in parking lots and near on-street parking spaces.

  •Don't wear headphones or talk on a cell phone while walking so that you won’t be distracted.

 Following these few safety tips could save your life. Go out there and enjoy a walk but make sure that you do it safely.

Safe Distance Around Other Vehicles

Did you ever wonder what the safe distance is between your car and the one in front of you? Well, according to the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles, it’s the 2 second rule. 

The rule goes as follows: Pick an object in front of you, like a sign post or a tree. When the vehicle in front of you reaches that object, count out "one one-thousand, two one-thousand…..". If you reach the object before you count two, you are too close. Slow down until you’ve put enough distance between you and the other vehicle.

The two-second rule is a minimum safe distance for good road conditions and moderate traffic. Count three or four seconds for added safety and when traffic allows. Keep more space behind a motorcycle and heavy equipment (for example, dump trucks, tractors) than you would for another vehicle.  You never know when someone is going to stop abruptly, so it’s a good habit to make sure you’re not following another vehicle too closely.