How to Avoid a Pedestrian or Bicycle Accident during the COVID-19 Shutdown

As South Carolina deals with the unprecedented coronavirus pandemic, non-essential businesses have closed, and many people are either unemployed or working from home. This has reduced vehicle traffic, but at the same time, there are more people out walking and riding their bikes. We need to get out and get fresh air and exercise while we are waiting out this crisis, so these activities are not only allowed, but encouraged.

Even though there are fewer cars on the road, the increased bicycle and pedestrian traffic heightens the risk of a vehicle colliding with a pedestrian or biker. And unfortunately, these types of accidents tend to result in far more serious injuries. While we are staying “safe at home”, we also need to do everything we can to stay safe when we venture out of our homes for a walk or bike ride.

Tips for Avoiding Pedestrian and Bicycle Accidents during the Coronavirus Pandemic or Anytime

For Pedestrians

• Stay Visible: Try to wear lightly-colored or reflective clothing at night and brightly-colored clothing during the day. Stay in well-lit areas, especially when crossing the street. And whenever possible, make eye contact with drivers in vehicles that have come to a stop before you cross in front of them.
• Stay Alert: There are numerous distractions these days, and it is important for pedestrians to avoid them as much as possible, especially when they are crossing the road. Limit smartphone use when you are walking and keep the volume on your headphones lower so you can still hear what is going on around you.
• Stay Sober: Approximately half of all pedestrian crashes involve alcohol consumption. In the majority of these cases, the crashes are caused by an impaired driver (more on that later). But still, approximately one-third of the crashes involve a pedestrian that consumed alcohol.
• Follow the Rules: Understand and adhere to the traffic rules, signs, and signals in whatever area you are walking. Be predictable and only cross the road at designated crosswalks and other places where it is legal to do so.
• Walk in Safe Places: When possible, walk on sidewalks and walking paths rather than on the streets. If you must walk on the street, make sure you are going the same direction as the traffic and stay as far off to the side of the road as possible. Another recommendation specific to the COVID-19 restrictions is to limit the number of people you walk with, and if you are walking with someone from a different household, maintain at least a six-foot distance.

For Bikers

• Stay Visible: As with pedestrians, it is important for bikers to be seen by motor vehicle drivers. Wear the same lightly-colored or reflective clothing at night or brightly-colored clothing during the day and be sure to turn on your lights and reflectors at night.
• Stay in Your Lane: Be aware of your location in relation to vehicles at all times. If there is a designated bike lane, stay in that lane. If there is no bike lane, stay as far to the right of moving traffic as possible while maintaining a safe distance from parked cars.
• Follow the Rules: Remember to follow all of the traffic laws. This means, among other things, riding with the flow of traffic along the right-hand side of the street, obeying traffic light signals, stop signs, and other road markings, and not making illegal turns. With the coronavirus pandemic ongoing, you should also limit the number of people you bike with and maintain a safe distance from each other.

For Drivers

• Put your Phone Away: Although most motorists are aware of the dangers, far too many continue to send and receive texts and other electronic messages while they are driving. Do not be one of them. Refrain from any electronic smartphone activity while driving, and if you must make a call, make sure the phone is in “hands-free” mode.
• Stay Sober: As mentioned earlier, about half of all pedestrian crashes involve alcohol, and about two-thirds of those involve a drunk driver. Avoid drinking and driving at all times – decades of tragic deaths have proven that driving with any amount of alcohol in your system is just not worth it.
• Obey Traffic Rules: Follow the speed limits, do not run stop signs or red lights, and do not otherwise drive in an aggressive or reckless manner.
• Watch for Bike and Pedestrian Traffic: Be mindful of bicycle and pedestrian traffic, especially in downtown areas where it tends to be heavy. During COVID-19, also be sure to watch out for increased traffic while driving within your own neighborhood.

Injured in a Bike or Pedestrian Accident in South Carolina? Peake & Fowler is Here to Help

As we get through the coronavirus pandemic, we want you to know that Peake & Fowler is still open and ready to serve your legal needs. We are following all of the social distancing guidelines and doing most everything remotely, but we have the technology and resources to handle accident injury claims in the same effective manner that our clients have come to expect. Court cases are moving slower, but we can still complete much of the groundwork for your claim even with everything going on.

If you or a loved one suffered injury in a pedestrian or bicycle accident, message us online or call our office today at 803-788-4370 for a free consultation and case assessment. We look forward to serving you!