This BlogSpot is only a brief outline on the topic of Pedestrians. The most important thing to remember is to use defensive driving (expecting the un-expected) at all times.
Eg.
What is that pedestrian going to do? Are they going to step off the path? Will they stay on the path? Will that child fall at the edge of the path? What to do, what to do.
When it comes to other road users there will be lots of different scenarios which may happen.
When approaching nearby pedestrians, slow down to a speed that will allow you to stop your vehicle quickly and safely. This may seem like the logical thing to do, but I’ve found that more often than not drivers don’t adjust their speed in time. Follow the usual routine with mirrors. When you are about to press your footbrake, glance in your rear view mirror to assess what’s happening behind you, Glance in your right and left wing (side) mirrors to check for cyclists coming up on your sides or pedestrians at path edge. This sounds like a lot of checks to do before dealing with the pedestrians up ahead but these can be done at a glance.
Now that you’ve checked your mirrors and adjusted your speed to suit the situation, you need to focus on what the pedestrian is going to do.
NEVER stop to let a pedestrian step off the footpath unless it is a place set for pedestrians to cross, for example, zebra crossings, pedestrian crossings etc. Why? Because, you are putting them into a potentially dangerous situation, remember the oncoming vehicle may not have seen you stop for the pedestrian and may not even be aware of what’s happening on your side. And so, may hit the pedestrian with their vehicle.
However if the scenario is different and the pedestrian steps off the path and goes to cross in front of you, then of course you must stop and allow them to cross. In this case the pedestrian has put themselves in potential danger.
There is only one type of situation where you may stop to let a pedestrian cross the road in front of you, and this is in a one way street where you are the only vehicle to take into consideration what is happening. Although, you must do checks before you stop for the pedestrian. You must check that the following vehicle has sufficient time to react when you are stopping. Also do the usual observation around your vehicle. So, even in this situation there are dangers which can occur.
There is one other thing to remember, don’t ever beckon the pedestrian, you must let the decision to cross be theirs.
I would recommend at all times leaving the pedestrian on the path where they are safe, and let them judge for themselves when it seems safe to cross.
