Pedestrian Crossing Signs Are Strategically Placed for a Purpose

A pedestrian crossing sign
Picture from the internet

Illegal pedestrian behaviour on the roads is common and is reported as a factor in many pedestrian crashes. Since walking is being promoted for its health and environmental benefits, minimization of its associated dangers is of interest. The danger related to illegal road crossing should be dealt with and public education could be of help.

Pedestrian signs are the most important traffic signs on the roads. These include pelican crossing, pedestrian blocks and pedestrian overhead bridge signs which have been designed for use by pedestrians. The main purpose of these designated pedestrian crossings is to allow pedestrians to cross the road in a safer manner and also to avoid road traffic accidents. But there is a great concern of pedestrians who are either knocked to death or injured on the roads. Some are knocked down in designated pedestrian crossings while others meet their untimely death at areas where they are not supposed to be crossing.

Since this is a worrisome phenomenon, motorists should as well be extra cautious when driving. They should be considerate, know to yield or stop in high pedestrian traffic areas with a full assortment of pedestrian crossing signs because pedestrians could just cross anywhere. On the other hand, pedestrians should as well be mindful of cars every time they cross the road. These kind of accidents have left some with permanent impairment while some have lost their lives due to road traffic accidents.

This also calls for public education and road safety lectures at schools because some accidents involve school going children. The relevant authorities including the police and the Department of Road Transport and Safety should ensure that the road safety messages reach the masses. It is also important to start at grassroots level so that these kids grow up knowing the road rules and regulations. They will be able to know the importance of walking on the left while facing on- coming traffic, the importance of using designated pedestrian crossings and to always abide by the look right, left then right again principle. All these could help avoid accidents involving pedestrians.