Pedestrians

In New York State, more people are walking. While all pedestrians are at risk as highway users, children and the elderly are particularly vulnerable.

Elementary children:

• have a field of vision 1/3 narrower than adults,
• are unable to determine the directions of sounds,
• can not accurately judge speed or distance of moving vehicles,
• lack the ability to understand what time and distance is needed for a vehicle to stop,
• overestimate their own abilities,
• are easily distracted,
• tend to focus on one thing at a time,
• and are easily hidden by bushes, parked cars, etc.

Parents must teach their children where they can safely play and the limits beyond which they can not go. As children grow older, they must be taught the basic rules for crossing a street safely. No matter what the age, they should be taught to stop at the curb, "look left, right and left again" before stepping out into the street.

Older adults may also overestimate their abilities and grow careless of the safety rules taught them in their youth. Hearing and vision loss, as well as decreases in mobility and reaction time put the elderly at risk when walking on a road or crossing at an intersection. Though most pedestrians walk familiar routes, this familiarity can lead to inattention and carelessness.

Additionally, the pedestrian's path can be changed due to construction or other hazards. For the period 1987 to 1990, 17 percent of all work zone fatalities were pedestrians. Many of these fatalities could have been avoided if the pedestrian and the motor vehicle driver had heeded orange work zone signs. Pavement markings are also cues for pedestrians to safely negotiate the work zone. However, it is always safest to simply avoid the area.

Pedestrian safety remains a major concern.

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