In Nashville and other cities across Tennessee, pedestrian traffic has increased as more and more people have chosen to live in an urban environment that allows for easy walks to work, restaurants, bars, museums, and retail centers. Tennessee is also blessed with many beautiful roadways which walkers, joggers and runners use for exercise.
Now that the lovely fall weather is here and more people are getting out and about, let’s familiarize ourself with our basic rights and responsibilities as motorists and pedestrians:
1. Pedestrians have the right of way at all intersections and driveways.
2. However, where present, pedestrians should obey all pedestrian signals.
3. If crossing at any point other than an intersection, the pedestrian must yield to vehicles.
4. While crossing the street, the pedestrian must use reasonable care for his or her safety.
5. When walking, jogging or running on a street, the pedestrian must use sidewalks if they are provided.
6. When walking, jogging or running on a street without sidewalks, the pedestrian should face traffic.
6. Notwithstanding any of the above, drivers have a duty to exercise reasonable care to avoid pedestrians.
When cars or trucks and pedestrians collide, the pedestrian will rarely avoid injury or death – you simply cannot take 2000 or more pounds of steel moving through traffic, collide it with a human body, and not have horrible things happen. Thus, it is essential that all of us, motorists and pedestrians, understand the rules applicable to us and follow them. Sixty-four pedestrians lost their lives on Tennessee roadways in the first 285 days of this year – please be careful not to add to the count.
For more information on accidents involving pedestrians and motor vehicles, please follow the link. If you or a loved one has been hit by a car or other motor vehicle and would like to discuss your case in a free, no-obligation consultation, please contact us online or call us any time at 615-742-4880 or toll-free at 866-812-8787. We will be happy to sit down with you, review your case, answer your questions and explain your rights and options in clear terms.