Mutual courtesy and attentiveness on the roads are key to reducing road accidents!

According to the Traffic Regulations, pedestrians must walk on sidewalks or pedestrian paths, and in their absence – on the shoulders, bicycle paths, or in single file along the edge of the roadway.

According to the Traffic Regulations, pedestrians must walk on sidewalks or pedestrian paths, and in their absence – on the shoulders, bicycle paths, or in single file along the edge of the roadway. Outside populated areas, when walking along the edge of the roadway, pedestrians must walk towards oncoming traffic. If a pedestrian is leading a bicycle, they must follow the direction of traffic. Crossing the roadway is an equally important issue. This should be done at pedestrian crossings. In the absence of pedestrian crossings, the roadway can be crossed at intersections along the line of sidewalks or shoulders. In places where traffic is regulated, for crossing the roadway, one must be guided by the signals of a traffic controller or a pedestrian or traffic light. At unregulated pedestrian crossings, one can enter the roadway after ensuring that the crossing will be safe.

Visibility while moving is of significant importance for the safety of both motorists and pedestrians. Many accidents occur because traffic participants are seen late or do not notice each other. Very often, in reality, a driver notices a pedestrian on the roadway from a distance of no more than 25-30 meters, and even at a speed of 50 km/h, the stopping distance of the car exceeds this distance. In the evening and at night, when streets and courtyards are poorly lit, drivers detect a pedestrian with retroreflective elements from a significantly greater distance. If a car is moving with low beam headlights, the distance increases from 25-40 meters to 130-140 meters. If with high beam headlights, the distance increases to 400 meters. This gives the driver additional time to make the most appropriate decision to avoid a possible collision with a pedestrian (thereby reducing the risk of a vehicle hitting a pedestrian by 85%). The braking distance of a car moving at a speed of 80-90 km/h is 35-40 meters. Since a person is constantly moving, light rays fall on them not directly (as on a bicycle), but at different angles. The special construction of retroreflectors allows light to be reflected in the same direction from which it falls. A retroreflective element will always be visible.

The State Automobile Inspectorate also reminds that Clause 116 of the Traffic Regulations obliges drivers, when approaching an unregulated pedestrian crossing, to "reduce speed, up to stopping the vehicle, to give way to pedestrians". As for regulated pedestrian crossings, drivers should be guided by traffic light signals and not violate the Traffic Regulations.