How to be a good pedestrian

Sunday, March 1, 2015 | 2 a.m.

Anyone can be a pedestrian, but being a good pedestrian is an acquired skill.

So far in 2015, 13 pedestrians have been killed in Nevada; 12 of them in Clark County. These deaths are entirely avoidable, and with a concentrated effort by drivers and pedestrians, the numbers can begin to change.

In recent years, Las Vegas has had more pedestrian fatalities than many other major municipalities, including Manhattan and Chicago. Multiple factors contribute, including higher speed limits, higher rates of impaired driving and fewer crosswalks in the valley. Simply put, Las Vegas is not a walking city. Las Vegas is a driving city, and many of us do not know how to be good pedestrians.

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Step 1: Use sidewalks and crosswalks, pedestrian bridges or tunnels whenever possible.

Step 2: The old rules apply: Stop, look and listen. Do not enter a crosswalk while looking down at your phone or listening to loud music with headphones.

Step 3: Obey official traffic control devices such as road signs, traffic lights and street markings. Wait for the right of way, and even then, proceed cautiously.

Step 4: If you exercise outside, wear lightcolored clothing and invest in workout gear with reflective strips. Be extra cautious when exercising with headphones.

Step 5: Walk on the right-hand side of the crosswalk whenever practical.

Step 6: Walk on the left-hand side of the street facing traffic if no sidewalk is available.

Step 7: Do not cross an intersection diagonally.

Step 8: Make eye contact with drivers. When crossing the street, wait until you’re sure each driver sees you.

What makes some roads more dangerous than others?

Nevada streets are dark and wide, particularly in Clark County, where the majority of fatalities occur. Streetlights often don’t illuminate the width of the road, and it can take pedestrians longer to cross the street, especially when “safe zones,” such as crosswalks, are not available. Wide, open roads also encourage motorists to drive faster than the speed limit.

What season is most dangerous?

Winter tends to be the most dangerous. It gets dark earlier, people are more likely to be out when it’s cooler, and winter clothing often is dark and difficult for motorists to see.

“Go and look at a rack of coats — they’re gray, navy, dark green or black. They all blend in with the road,” said Erin Breen of UNLV’s Vulnerable Road Users Project.

How often is alcohol a factor?

Alcohol and drugs impair the judgment of motorists and pedestrians. From 2010 to 2013, 160 pedestrian fatalities were recorded in Clark County. Of those, 76 pedestrians were intoxicated — 41 were under the influence of alcohol with a blood-alcohol level of .08 or higher, eight had alcohol in their system but were below a BAC of .08, 15 had alcohol and drugs in their system, and 12 were under the influence of drugs alone.

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Three keys:

1. Do not cross the street mid-block. It can be very dangerous. Walk to the nearest crosswalk instead. Motorists don’t anticipate pedestrians crossing in the middle of the road and may not have enough to time to react.

2. Predictable behavior is safe behavior. Adhere to the same rules motorists follow. Stop when you are indicated to do so, don’t cross until you have the clear right of way, only cross in designated areas, observe traffic patterns and always be aware of your surroundings.

3. Assume your line of sight is better than drivers’. Vehicle headlights illuminate only 25 feet ahead. Pedestrians often can see the glow of headlights from much farther away, but motorists don’t have the same range of vision.