Attention on the road

Paying attention on the road as a pedestrian

We’re all guilty of being distracted from time to time. However there are some simple steps pedestrians can take to avoid unnecessary danger.

• Put your phone away.
• Look both ways before you cross the street.
• If you’re in town, use pedestrian crossings where possible.
• Make sure you’re visible at night – especially if out walking or running on the road.
• Avoid listening to music that completely drowns out your surroundings.
• If you’re in the countryside and there are no pavements – walk facing the traffic so you can see what’s coming.
• Never cross the road when you’re behind a bus or are in-between parked cars as you can’t see oncoming traffic clearly.

Class activity: Use these questions as discussion points or thought starters in pairs or in a group.

1. How would you describe yourself as a pedestrian? Safe, responsible, or reckless?
2. Have you ever put yourself in danger when crossing the road?
3. Do you listen to loud music when you’re walking? If yes, why might that be a bad idea?
4. Besides your phone – what else might distract you when you’re walking along the road?
5. What kind of thing can be distracting for a young driver with friends in the car?