Running out for a quick errand on foot at night or walking for exercise in the evening can mean walking close to moving traffic, crossing streets, and navigating parking lots after dark. National Safety Council (NSC) data warns that 74% of pedestrian accident fatalities occur after dark, despite fewer pedestrians walking at night. Negligent drivers are the leading cause of pedestrian accidents, but pedestrians can reduce their risk of injury by following safety tips for walking after dark.
Wearing Light-Colored Reflective Clothing
Many streets lack adequate lighting after dark, and deep shadows permeate even well-lit areas. A pedestrian is more visible to nighttime drivers when wearing light-colored clothing. Adding reflective tape or reflective clothing, such as a headband, sash, or vest, provides additional protection by increasing visibility to approaching drivers.
Choose Sidewalks and Pedestrian Pathways
When walking at night, choosing your route is crucial. Avoid walking along roadsides as much as possible. Instead, select a route that allows you to remain on sidewalks and pedestrian pathways as much as possible. If you do have to walk along a road, always face oncoming traffic.
Carry a Light or Wear a Headlamp
Bringing a small flashlight when walking at night not only helps a pedestrian avoid common hazards, such as potholes and cracked pavement, but also dramatically increases visibility, allowing a driver to see a pedestrian from a significant distance. Headlamps are a popular choice for walking at night, but it’s important to cast the light downward when a vehicle approaches to avoid blinding the driver and increasing the risk of a collision.
Stay In Well-Lit Areas
Avoiding poorly lit sections of the roadway is essential for walking safely at night. Avoid long stretches of rural roadways that lack lighting. NSC data shows that 76% of pedestrian fatalities occur on the open road. Drivers on rural roads may not be alert to pedestrians, as walkers are less common on these routes than in communities and business areas. Pedestrians should walk only at night in well-lit areas within their community, not along dark, rural roadways.
Avoid Distractions
Pedestrians should avoid distractions such as texting, scrolling, or otherwise looking at their phones while walking at any time, but especially at night. A pedestrian research study revealed that one-fifth of 2,280 pedestrians observed crossing a section of roadway were looking at their phones. Keep your phone in a pocket or bag and set it to silent while walking at night to avoid the temptation to answer messages. If you use your phone for music or podcasts while you walk, choose the playlist or episode before you start so you don’t have to look at your phone.
Don’t Wear Headphones or Earbuds
Because you are more difficult for drivers to see at night, you must be especially alert to your surroundings while you walk. This includes paying vigilant attention to the sound of approaching cars. Do not wear headphones or earbuds while walking at night. Even if they are not noise-cancelling, they still muffle sounds and drown out traffic noise, which is far more dangerous during night walking.