Safety Precautions for Albuquerque Pedestrians

Albuquerque attracts many tourists throughout the year. The balloon festival, Old Town, and the Red Mountains are just a few reasons tourists flock to the area. It is both good and bad for those of us who live here. It brings business to our beautiful city but also means we must deal with tourists who are unsure where they are going. Drivers who are lost pose dangers to pedestrians.

Our pedestrian accident attorneys have lived in Albuquerque our entire lives. We understand the challenges of having tourists and busy city streets. To help our neighbors stay safe, we wanted to remind you of some essential Safety Precautions for Albuquerque Pedestrians.

Standard Safety Precautions for Pedestrians

In any city, there are a few standard practices regarding pedestrian safety. They include:

  • Crossing at crosswalks and obeying traffic laws for pedestrians
  • Staying on the sidewalk
  • Avoid distracted walking
  • Look both ways before crossing roads
  • Make eye contact with nearby drivers
  • Avoid walking at night when possible, but if you do walk in low light, wear bright or reflective clothing
  • Choose safe paths where drivers know to watch for pedestrians

Crossing quickly and staying alert to vehicle movement while walking is vital because it reduces the risk of injury. With the popularity of almost silent electric vehicles, heightened awareness is crucial for pedestrian safety in Albuquerque.

Several factors heighten the risk of pedestrian injury. It is a big city with abundant tourists seeking to explore its beauty and rich history.

Pedestrian Laws

Pedestrian laws are in place to further protect those who wish to walk in Albuquerque or surrounding neighborhoods. These laws encourage you to walk safely and include some of the same advice listed above:

  • Walk facing traffic if you must walk on the road rather than a sidewalk
  • Yield to traffic if you must cross outside of a crosswalk
  • Avoid crossing in intersections where traffic signals are in operation
  • Avoid crossing controlled access roadways, including freeways

Albuquerque uses the PAWS (Pedestrian Activated Warning System) and HAWK signals (High-Intensity Activated Crosswalk) to increase pedestrian safety further. Both are designed to help pedestrians cross safely by alerting drivers that someone is about to cross. They are situated where people walk frequently, and you are encouraged to use them when available. Vehicle drivers must also follow the laws and stop if they see either of these devices change color from yellow to red.

What to Do If Injured as a Pedestrian?

Knowing what to do immediately after an accident in Albuquerque if you are injured as a pedestrian is as important as knowing common safety precautions. You should immediately seek medical attention by calling 911. If you are unable to call because of your injuries, someone else should call 911 for you. This will allow you to report the accident to the Albuquerque Police Department. If possible, you should also:

  • Document the scene
  • Gather witness information and driver details
  • Contact your auto insurance company to tell them you were injured

Once you have done these things and hopefully recovered from your injuries, you should contact a legal team to discover your right to compensation. Remember that New Mexico has a three-year statute of limitations for personal injury.

Reach Out to Learn More About Safety Precautions for Albuquerque Pedestrians

There are many safety precautions for Albuquerque pedestrians, and many laws protect them. However, no matter how much we wish it could, these safety implementations cannot stop all accidents from happening. If you are injured as a pedestrian, you need a legal team with the experience to help you seek compensation for your injuries. Our team is on your side, and we are here to help you. Contact us today to learn about our experience.