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Do We Think About Pedestrians on The Roads?

09 March 2020

As drivers we spend our time focusing on the road and other motorists but do we allow enough time to focus on pedestrians and does money get in the way of that focus? According to a study carried out by the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, the more your car is worth the lower the chance that you would give way to pedestrians at a crossing. But before you quickly buy a cheaper car to improve your driving, we will look at the dangers pedestrians face and what we can do to help reduce these.  

On average it is more dangerous to be a pedestrian than it is to be a driver or passenger. Worldwide at least 700 pedestrians die every day. In the UK specifically pedestrian deaths have increased on average by 1.3%. These figures paint a bleak picture when it comes to road safety for pedestrians so how can we all do our part in helping turn these figures around?

To start with the obvious, sticking to the speed limit can save lives. RoSPA found that pedestrians hit by a car travelling between 30mph and 40mph are 4.5 times more likely to be killed than by a car going under 30mph. This is why in built up areas the speed limit is a maximum of 30mph. Not everyone pays attention when crossing the road and can emerge from blind spots like behind a van. This may not give you enough time to react, if you’re travelling at the correct speed, you reduce the chances of a fatality.

However, even where your vision of the pavement and those on it is not obstructed, always be vigilant and prepared for the unexpected. As a driver you can’t know what they’re thinking but look out for signs like them looking across the road or walking along the edge of the pavement.

Finally, if you have a driveway, take extra care when entering or leaving it. Pedestrians can be completely oblivious when walking on the pavement as they feel they’re out of danger so be prepared for them to ignore your presence entirely.

At Marshall Leasing, safety is always the priority, not just for your fleets but also other road users. We offer all our client’s advice on risk management as we know providing a duty of care to employees is an extremely important part of managing a fleet. To find out more about our risk management service visit our website here, or call us directly on 01480 414541.

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