Schools are out for summer vacation! There are so many great things about summertime in Spokane. The days are longer and families will be playing at local parks and city pools in the middle of the day. Many gatherings will carry on well into the evening. This also means pedestrian and bicycle safety must be top of mind. Drivers must keep an eye out for our little ones and should yield to pedestrians at crosswalks.
All drivers get into habits and we aren’t used to kids playing outdoors midday. When you see kids nearby is always a good idea to slow down. Sometimes this means driving well below the speed limit. Elevating your awareness could help you see a child before they run into the street chasing a ball or remote-control toy.
With increased pedestrian and bicycle traffic during the summer months, the City of Spokane usually reduces some speed limits near city parks. Separately, some dangerous intersections are getting special pedestrian crossing upgrades. These changes should help reduce both the frequency of collisions and severity of injuries if a pedestrian or bicyclist is struck by a vehicle.
Families out for a walk or riding their bikes can help protect their own safety, too. Pedestrians should always use sidewalks. If there is no sidewalk, they should walk on the left side of the road facing oncoming traffic. Bicyclists should follow all traffic laws including riding on the right side of the street and observing stop signs. Wearing bright reflective clothing and using a flashlight near dusk will also improve visibility. Let’s work together to make sure our kids have a fun and safe summer break!
Sometimes serious bodily injury accidents involving vehicles and pedestrians or bicyclists are unavoidable. If you’ve been injured and are looking for answers, contact Cooney Law Offices today. We can help!