How can you stay safe when walking during the holidays?

Now that Christmas and the winter holidays are near, staying safe when you’re walking to your vehicle in a parking lot or walking to a nearby home is more important than ever. An accident resulting in an injury or death is devastating any time of year, but particularly so when the holidays draw near.

How many people are hurt in traffic-related pedestrian injuries every day?

On a typical day, around 430 people suffer from traffic-related pedestrian accidents. Nearly every two hours another pedestrian dies from the injuries suffered in these kinds of accidents. In 2013 alone, 4,735 people were killed in pedestrian accidents.

Which pedestrians are most likely to be injured in a collision with a vehicle?

Those most at risk of being involved in these accidents are male pedestrians, young adults, teens and the elderly. Around 34 percent of the pedestrians who were killed in 2013 had a blood alcohol concentration of .08 percent or higher, making it very important to walk only when you’re sober.

What can you do to stay safer this holiday season?

Keeping yourself safe is as important as educating drivers on their own safety steps. Remember to use a crosswalk if you intend to cross the street, and if you’re walking at dawn, dusk or night, carry a flashlight or wear reflective, light-colored clothing. Stay on sidewalks if they’re present and remain aware of your surroundings.

For those who are injured in a collision with a motorist, it’s important to get the identities of witnesses, along with their contact information. Get the name, address, phone number and other information about the driver if you can, too, since your attorney will need this information.

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Walk This Way! Taking Steps for Pedestrian Safety,” accessed Nov. 30, 2016