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What drivers must do to protect pedestrians

On Behalf of | Oct 5, 2016 | Car Accidents

New York City is the city that never sleeps for a number of reasons. But when most people are awake, the relationship between motorists and pedestrians is a delicate and sometimes contentious one. Even with the passion that comes from pedestrians (who coined the phrase “Hey! I’m walkin’ here!), car-pedestrian accidents, can be especially harmful to the pedestrian.

Indeed, New York law protects pedestrians in a number of ways, but there are a number of things that drivers must do to protect pedestrians as well. This post will highlight a few of them.

Put down your cell phone –With all the exterior distractions that essentially attack drivers, they should limit internal distractions as well.  A driver is much less likely to see a pedestrian when they are checking text messages or social media updates.

Yield the right of way to pedestrians – Under New York law, a driver must slow down and yield to a pedestrian, even if they are outside of a marked crosswalk. As a pedestrian, it is important to know that a crosswalk protects you, but drivers must yield the right of way when they can.

Don’t drink and drive – Obviously drinking and driving is against the law; but the number of drivers who drive while “buzzed” or “tipsy” may still not have the reaction time necessary to react to a pedestrian, especially at night or in rainy conditions.

Ultimately, if you are a pedestrian who has been involved in an accident with a car, an experienced personal injury attorney can advise you.

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