The DGT warns of how a pedestrian should use the road

As defined by the General Directorate of Traffic, a pedestrian is a person who, without being a driver, transits on foot on public roads. Therefore, they are one more actor in the coexistence that occurs in both urban and interurban roads and have regulatory responsibility. Most of them are clear about how to behave within the city, but what happens outside it? The DGT advises on how a pedestrian should use the road.

 

The current situation that we live in because of the coronavirus prevents us from leaving the house, with few exceptions. Aware of this, Traffic is taking advantage to carry out an informative work that consists of reviewing different rules that we must comply with both if we circulate in our vehicle or if we do it on foot. With a tweet, the DGT has reminded us that “a pedestrian should never occupy the road, let alone without wearing a reflective vest.”

 

And is that these types of actors have less than a 20% chance of dying if they are hit by a car that circulates at less than 50 km/hour. However, this figure grows to almost 60% if it is run over at 80 km/hour. To raise awareness among pedestrians, the DGT has shown the consequences of wearing reflective clothing with reflective fabric or not. Not surprisingly, it can be the difference between being visible at a safe distance or being run over.

 

The stage conditions would be the following: a vehicle with the crossing lights (halogen), artificial lighting on the null road and dry asphalt.

 

A pedestrian in dark clothing and without a vest: the visual range is less than 20 meters and at 40 km / h the driver could not stop within his visual range.

A pedestrian in light clothing and without a vest: the visual range is less than 40 meters and at 65 km / h the driver could not stop.

A pedestrian with a vest: the visual range is more than 150 meters and at 100 km / h the driver could stop within his visual range.

 

Pedestrians outside the city

The DGT establishes how pedestrians should move in two possible situations: an out-of-town road and on motorways or expressways. In the first, they must circulate on the left so that they can see the approaching vehicles from the front. If there is a hard shoulder, they will have to go for it. If there is not, it will circulate along the road as close as possible to the edge. If there are several people, they will have to go single file.

 

If you need to cross, you will have to do it in the safest places with the highest visibility. Finally, between sunset and sunrise or in adverse weather conditions, pedestrians should be provided with an approved light or retroreflective element and try to wear light-colored clothing to be as visible as possible.

 

On highways and expressways, pedestrian circulation is prohibited. If in the event of an accident, breakdown, physical discomfort of its occupants, or another emergency, it is necessary to request help, the driver or another occupant may leave the vehicle properly equipped. The rest of the occupants must stay in the car.

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