Motoring frustrations are a topic that frequently pop up in this paper’s opinion piece. Let’s face it, the motoring habits of many in the Highlands make for interesting conversation.
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Poor parking, a lack of road rule knowledge, behaviour at intersections, motoring behaviour in school zones… the list could go on and on.
But there is another road user that also needs to take a closer look at their behaviour – that is the pedestrian.
The road is a shared resource and while it is important for every motoring member of the public to be mindful of those road users on foot, it is equally important for pedestrians to consider their actions.
Pedestrian crossings and traffic lights are in place on many roads with the intention of providing a safer location for people to negotiate passing traffic. Sure there are those motorists who ignore these pedestrian rights of way… but that is for another opinion piece.
Checking to ensure the area is safe for crossing should be a habit at all times for our own well being.
Regardless of whether you are riding a bike, driving a vehicle or stepping out on foot the first rule of thumb for every road users is to be mindful of our own safety and the behaviour of others.
And while having right of way is a valid argument it is only as good as the consideration of the other road users.
We all need to take our safety into our own hands – as a pedestrian that includes ensuring the area is safe before stepping onto the road.
This includes being mindful of the possibility of obscured vision of the motoring public in some situations.
Vehicles parked near a crossing can obscure a motorist’s vision of people stepping off the curb – clearly these motorists need to take extra care approaching a crossing, but a pedestrian could also take care when stepping out.
Then there are the people who choose to walk behind reversing vehicles.
While reversing should be done with care there is little doubt that such manoeuvering can command a lot of concentration and monitoring of potential obstacles – including those people stepping about behind the moving vehicle.
Choosing not to step behind a moving vehicle, along with other road safety precautions, is something for all to consider.