Walking around New York shouldn’t be a death sentence. Since the warmer weather is just around the corner, anyone who is going to walk around the city should make sure they are being as safe as possible.

One of the most important things to remember is to use sidewalks and crosswalks when they are available. If they aren’t, you should walk against traffic so that you are facing the vehicles coming toward you.

Your clothing when you are walking also matters. You need to have on bright clothing that makes it easier for drivers to see you. If you are walking at night, you need to have some reflective tape or other properties on your clothing so that it is easier to spot you in the dark.

Another thing to remember is that you have to be predictable. Don’t dart around when you are walking. Instead, make it easy for drivers to see what you are planning on doing. Use hand signals if you are in the middle of a lot of traffic and need to convey your plans. Also, don’t try to run in and out of cars that are on the road, especially if there is rush hour traffic.

Even the pedestrians who are the safest are still at risk of being struck by drivers on these roads. It is imperative that all drivers watch for pedestrians in the city. If a pedestrian is struck, medical care is a priority. Once that is obtained, the pedestrian might decide to seek compensation from the driver who struck him or her. This might help them cover the medical bills that will mount quickly after a catastrophic accident.

Source: The Landings Association, “Walking Safety Rules to Keep You Safe this Spring," Lynn Lewis, accessed March 15, 2018