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In my last article, I discussed “distracted driving” I would like to thank all the readers who responded to the article for your invaluable feedback and suggestions.
Before I begin I discuss this week’s article I want to extend my deepest condolences to the families of the 24 people that lost their lives in the horror crush that occurred in Chisumbanje on October 30 when a T-35 truck carrying mourners and a corpse collided with an ethanol fuel tanker.

May the souls of the departed rest in eternal peace. We must emerge from this disaster much more resolute to prevent similar accidents in future.

In road safety we believe that an accident is a total loss unless something useful can be learned from it. I hope drivers and passengers alike have learnt something useful from this horrific accident.
In this article I want to focus on distracted walking.

Road safety activists, the world over, have been making efforts to raise awareness of the dangers posed by distracted driving like I did in my previous article.

New research shows that, in this day and age of smart phones, distracted walking has become a major road safety challenge.
In simple terms, distracted walking is where pedestrians are abstracted or unfocused whenever crossing or walking along the road.
With the festive season around the corner, there tends to be a lot of movement with most teens who would be out of school migrating to the cities hence the volume of human traffic on our roads will be higher.

In this cell phone and tablet – based world, pedestrians are easily distracted by, among other things, texting and surfing the internet while walking along or crossing the road.

Pedestrians are supposed to walk on the right facing on-coming traffic. Before crossing the road, they are obliged to stop, check traffic on their right then their left and their right again and then walk briskly across if the road is clear.

Obviously when one is about to cross a one-way road, one concentrates on checking the side from which traffic is flowing.
This should be common sense but despite that accidents involving vehicles and pedestrians continue to occur.

Researchers attribute this to distracted walking. Even when crossing at legal and seemingly safe crossing points on the road, a pedestrian must always be alert for negligent drivers.

We have read about pedestrians being run over at a zebra crossing and others being hit by cars while crossing the road when the traffic light on their side is green.

Never expect a car to stop for you until it has stopped. Negligence, brake failure and any other mechanical fault may cause the driver to fail to stop the car even if he or she is facing a red traffic light.

These incidences simply underscore the fact that pedestrians cannot afford to be distracted in anyway.
Our roads have indeed become a death trap. Nevertheless, if we work together and everyone does their part, we can tame the carnage on our roads.

The good news is that distraction is easily avoidable. Road safety activists and experts have compiled a list of tips and that both pedestrians and drivers can follow to avoid a road traffic crash stemming from distracted walking.

TIPS FOR PEDESTRIANS
Desist from using the phone when on the road
This might seem like a very easy thing to do when it comes to preventing a road accident but stowing one’s phone and stepping to the side when taking a call is harder to do than many would want to admit.
This simple tactic is essential to avoiding any injury where a distracted individual bumps into a pole, another pedestrian or an on-coming motor vehicle.

Eliminate other distractions
While cell phones stand out, numerous other distractions have invaded the daily lives of the average pedestrian.
Pedestrians should avoid listening to music, reading books, studying maps, and eating or drinking when walking on a busy road.

Obey traffic laws
Whether a pedestrian is on his or her cell phone or not, it is always important to avoid jay-walking and cross at safe places on the road or at marked intersections and respect the right of way of vehicles that have the green traffic light.
You must also stick to the sidewalks or shoulder of the road when not crossing the road.

TIPS FOR DRIVERS
Take notice of inattentive pedestrians
Drivers must scan the environment ahead of them for pedestrians on their phones or otherwise focused on something on something other than their own surroundings.

Always slow down and be ready to hit the brakes if it looks like someone is paying more attention to their conversation than their safety.
Reducing speed would allow you to warn the pedestrian by slightly tapping your horn and sometimes, if need be, come to a complete stop.
Deaf pedestrians and those enjoying music via earphones cannot hear the hooter. Similarly, a mentally challenged pedestrian might not heed the warning after all.

Put down the cellphone
It is impossible for a driver to recognise a pedestrian’s inattentiveness when they are also inattentive.
Phones should be placed some place out of reach, such as the glove compartment, and full attention should be given to the road.

The writer, Tatenda Chinoda is a Traffic Safety Officer – Marketing and can be contacted on email: [email protected] / [email protected] ; cell: 0772 966 075 or phone 04 751 208.