Road Safety Advice For Pedestrians & Motorists

October 15, 2013

Following an 8-year-old girl being struck by a car in St David’s this morning [Oct 15] and a 12-year-old boy being struck by a van in Somerset yesterday, the police issued road safety advice for pedestrians and motorists.

The full police statement follows below:

Road users are advised to be more aware in the vicinity of schools and buses that are stopped on the roads after recent pedestrian related collisions resulting in injury.

There are a myriad of reasons for these incidents including driver inattention and pedestrians failing to look before crossing the road. However, the public is reminded that both pedestrians and motorists are responsible for using our roads safely. The following tips can help to reduce pedestrian related collisions:

  • Pedestrians should take note of their surroundings while walking or preparing to cross the road. They should be mindful of oncoming traffic to secure their safety.
  • Pedestrians are also urged to look before crossing any road, street or lane. If at a pedestrian crossing, wait to ensure that any approaching vehicle comes to a complete stop before proceeding. This is very important, as a driver may not realise a pedestrian is intending to cross.
  • Motorists are reminded that any activity which will impair their driving skill such as drinking, using cell phones etc. should be eliminated so their attention is focused solely on the task of driving responsibly which includes awareness of pedestrians, particularly near schools and exiting buses.

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Category: Accidents and fires, All, News

Comments (8)

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  1. RawOnion says:

    I’m so tired of pedestrians walking up to a crossing and just stepping out onto the street. Even with the new flashing amber lights, many still fail to use them. I even see people dragging their children across the street without modeling the correct behaviour for crossing the street. And just in case some of you don’t know, I also am a pedestrian that practices proper street etiquette why, so I don’t get hit by a wayward driver.

    Maybe the BDA Road Safety council needs to promote a pedestrian safety campaign.

  2. Kathy S. says:

    @ RawOnion. I so agree. And then they expect you to stop short for them. SMH

  3. Kaprice says:

    Also wearing sunglasses can help in situations where the sun is blinding. My cousin was exiting a crosswalk on Front Street and was hit my a rider. He kept saying that he didn’t see her.The sun obscured his view. Before you get critical, I am sure many if you drive eastward in the mornings and westward in the afternoons. All I can say is I am so glad that I drive away from the sun now. I pass people putting hands above eyes and adjusting visors while squinting. Let us all be more attentive today!

  4. SMH says:

    I’m a pedestrian too, and know first hand Bermudian drivers are reckless and disrespectful at crosswalks. They don’t slow down and often overtake the vehicles that do. Pedestrians ALWAYS have the right of way and it is long overdue for the police and road safety council to sternly address this intolerable behavior.

    • Kaprice says:

      ALL Bermudians? ?? Every single one? I guess you also include in your ALL- foreign spouses, guest workers etc. I understand your frustration. My mom was hit by a motorist while she was mid way on the crosswalk. But do you really mean all???

  5. Judge & Jury says:

    The Road Safety council needs to address the schools who don’t have crossing guards. Students are running from across the road from one bus to another, not looking and not using the amber traffic lights. This is noticed more at the Bermuda Institute crossing in Southampton. All bus stops should have a lay by area and bus drivers should use them, not letting people off on the streets.

    The drivers who struck those children who ran out from the buses are still crying today.

  6. More WaysTo Learn Than One says:

    This is a good time as any to do some refresher Road Safety infomercials as was done when I was a child in school r, including posters around the island & visits to schools – have this campaign start back up again on local channels of TV & Radio, reminding all on the rules of the road…this was done a lot when I was a child. i,e. rights of pedestrians, warnings to, pedestrians (such as the basic STOP LOOK & LISTEN) before crossing streets – INCLUDING at (non-traffic light) crosswalks, vehicles slowing down nearing cross walks, people walking against traffic flow, use of indicators including at roundabouts and yes – giving way to the RIGHT at roundabouts…may this child and the others all be recovering in good health and may the drivers involved be remorseful and continue on (more) cautiously, as perhaps some of the drivers may have been driving cautiously.As said a few times above, many people just walk directly across the road at crossings, without no thought to stop to protect themselves first of all. I and many of us were taught to stop and make sure it is safe to walk across the road, even at a crossing, as sometimes, cars are coming onward to fast to just brake abruptly, especially with other traffic behind them. To be fair, pedestrians at crossing (ones without the help lights) should stop, and ensure their own safety before crossing, and traffic should also give away upon seeing people crossing or waiting to cross. It’s rude to keep driving over a crosswalk when people are obviously waiting to pass safely, and it is just as inconsiderate for pedestrians to just walk right off the sidewalk etc into the road without first checking that cars are able to stop/come to a slow without abrupt braking.

    • sage says:

      Makes you wonder if the road safety council gives value for money since we had safety programs before their formation and now we don’t.