1. Lecture

A pedestrian is a person who participates in traffic on foot, in a wheelchair, in roller skates, with a skateboard, etc. A cyclist is also a pedestrian when they push their bicycle.

Pedestrian’s location on the road
Walking on the sidewalk is the safest option for pedestrians. When using a skateboard, roller skates or other similar personal transportation device, you must be considerate to other road users. If traffic density allows, you can also travel on cycle path as long as you don’t obstruct bike traffic.

When moving alongside the road, you must use the sidewalk. If sidewalk is not present, walk on the left side of the road. When moving in group in poor visiblity or on an unlit road in the dark, you may only walk in a row. This appies both to the town roads and the highways.

When pushing the bicycle by your side, you must move close to the right edge of the road, if possible outside the road.

In case of poor visibility or when moving on the road in the dark, the use of a reflector for pedestrians is mandatory!

Road crossing
A pedestrian may cross road a designated place – through a bridge or tunnel, a pedestrian crossing, a crossing point or an intersection.

If the crossing is no more than 100 meters away, you must use it to cross the road. If the nearest crossing is more than 100 meters away, you may only cross the road if you have clear visiblity and there is no traffic hazard present.

Road crossing requirements
When using a skateboard, roller skates or other similar personal transportation device, you must cross the road at normal pedestrian speed.

Cross the road in its narrowest point, use traffic island when its present.

At an intersection or pedestrian crossing with traffic lights, you must use lights as your guidance and if there is traffic controller present, follow their signals.

At an intersection or pedestrian crossing without traffic lights you must cross the road in way that doesn’t obstruct vehicles approaching and directly crossing the intersection.

Before crossing the road, make sure that the driver has noticed you and is able to stop the vehicle safely to let you cross the road.

Remember three important keywords: STOP, LOOK, LISTEN!

Pedestrian must not:
1)  cross the road at a place where barriers have been installed to prevent of pedestrian traffic and in a settlement on a road with a dividing line outside a footbridge, tunnel, pedestrian crossing or crossing point;
2) go on the road from the shadow of a stationary vehicle or other obstacle without making sure that the vehicle is not approaching;
3) walk on highway;
4) walk on the road next to the dividing line or along the dividing line if it does not have a sidewalk.

Source. http://www.liikluskasvatus.ee/noored/jalakaijale-2/

A cyclist is a driver and is subject to the same traffic rules on the road as other drivers.

The elderly are at higher risk for various diseases and injuries. Their assessing what happens in traffic and reaction times to events can be slower and that makes it more difficult for them to navigate in traffic. Aging usually changes people slowly, changes are also very individual. Although aging can lead to discomfort and disability in movement, it can be replaced by foresight and caution due to life experience and judgment. Road safety statistics for the elderly In Finland day that one in seven people injured and one in three to die in traffic accidents are elderly. Most serious road accidents for the elderly occur while driving, either as a driver or as a passenger. An aging body is more susceptible to injury and heals more slowly than for a younger person. As the population ages, the amount of older drivers increases.

The number of eldery drivers should increase between 2010-2040:

• Over 10% among those between ages 65-69,
• Almost 65% among those between the ages 70–74,
• Almost 2.5 times among those between ages 75-79,
• Quardruple among drivers over the age of 80.

The increase in the number of drivers is partly explained by the fact that older people are healthy and willing and able to continue driving. Elderly drivers who are healthy and are used to driving are not particularly dangerous in traffic

Typical traffic hazards:

• As a driver – when making a left turn
• As a pedestrian – crossing the road, slippery
• As a cyclist – running into another cyclist

More serious accidents involving older drivers, especially driving off-road, are mostly caused by perceptual and driving errors and seizures. Alcohol and speeding offenses are more related to younger drivers. More than half of the injuries and a third of pedestrian deaths occur on the sidewalk. Therefore, pedetrian crossings should be made safer. The safety islands built on the roads also allow you to relax and monitor traffic. Promoting road safety for the elderly must also be taken into account in the design of traffic systems and transport solutions. Thematic trainings and events are organized for the elderly, elderly specialists and relatives, and their wishes are taken into account in the planning.

What does prepearing for old age mean from the point of travelling safety?
Aging affects us all, although its effects are individual. In order to travel safely, the changes brought about by aging must be taken into account in the right time. Use this list to check how well prepared you are for the future and how to respond to changing situations.

Traffic is nothing new or special, but an important part of everyday life. There is quite a bit to be taken for granted in traffic, but it is not always enough to drive safely.

Road safety includes traffic training, shaping the attitudes and behavior of road users and creating a safe traffic environment.

Liikluskasvatus.ee »
A webpage that brings together interesting and necessary information from the youngest to the oldest road users in the family.