This one is my favorite. You have to be visible. At night? Wear reflective gear. In the rain? Wear neon colors. The rule is basically: “Stop trying to be a ninja.” We all have that friend who wears all black, crosses the street, and wonders why cars honk at them.
That friend is now a public safety hazard. If you look like a shadow, you are a shadow. And shadows get squished. So, buy a high-visibility vest. Or a light-up dog collar. Yes, for yourself. It’s fashion now, apparently.
Defensive Driving at Pedestrian Crossings Made Simple
I’m not saying you need to look like a construction worker. But maybe don’t wear a black hoodie, black jeans, and black sneakers on a moonless night. You’re just asking for trouble. Or for a driver to mistake you for a manhole cover.
The Final Rule: No Sudden Moves
This one is for the runners. No darting. No abrupt about-faces. If you start crossing, you finish crossing. No changing your mind halfway through. That’s how you get clipped by a bicycle or, worse, a scooter.
Think of it like a bank heist. Once you step off the curb, you’re committed. You’re in the vault. No turning back. You have to see it through to the other sidewalk.
And if you must run, do it with purpose. Pump your arms. Make a tiny “vroom” noise if it helps. The key is predictability. Cars love predictable things. They hate surprises. You are the surprise.
