LEHIGH VALLEY, Pa. – With the nice weather, lots of people are out walking on the roads, but this can come with risks.
Tuesday in the Lehigh Valley there were three separate pedestrian accidents. And now, law enforcement is sounding the alarm on safety.
“With the warm weather, it’s that time of the year where you’re gonna see more people out on foot on bicycles, e-scooters you name it,” said Sergeant Bryan Losagio, Salisbury Twp. Police Department.
Sergeant Losagio says with more people out and about, more accidents are likely.
Thousands of pedestrians are killed a year by vehicles on the road.
He says drivers can do their part by staying alert.
“Look ahead up the road, scan the roadway for people possibly in the road, crossing the road or at crosswalks. Put the phone down, lower your music a little bit. There’s a lot of crashes caused by distracted driving and those are some of the top contributing factors,” says Sergeant Losagio.
Staying safe involves the person behind the wheel and the one walking across the street.
It’s important for people to use crosswalks and sidewalks.
“It is a state law in Pennsylvania that if there’s an available sidewalk, a pedestrian should be on it instead of walking up and down the street. When you get to an intersection, make eye contact with the driver that way you both have a sense that you saw each other and it may be a little bit safer to cross,” says Sergeant Losagio.
Whether you’re out for a drive with the windows down or taking a walk after work staying safe is simple, “Pay attention and basically it comes down to common sense you’ll have your best shot at staying safe,” says Sergeant Losagio.