No driver wants to hit a pedestrian – at least not when they are thinking straight. The consequences won’t just be insurance-related; there could also be criminal charges to answer. On top of both could come guilt, perhaps flashbacks and nightmares.
So what can they do to reduce the chance this happens?
Stay alert
Distraction is one of the primary contributing factors to crashes of all sorts. Modern cars can be distracting, with so many buttons and dials. Add in phones, passengers, the stresses of modern life and everything happening outside the car, and it can take a conscious effort to stay focused and alert. Yet that is what drivers must do.
Prepare for the journey
A little preparation can reduce the chance of distractions while driving. For example, finishing breakfast, adjusting the car seat, plotting the route into the satnav and making any urgent phone calls before setting off reduce the temptation or need to do them later.
Slow down
Many drivers go too fast. Just because they are within the official speed limit does not mean they are driving at an appropriate speed for the conditions or location. If there are pedestrians about, or if it is a place where there are likely to be pedestrians – such as close to schools and houses, then slowing down could mean the difference between having a collision and avoiding one. If one does occur, the reduction in speed could be the difference between the pedestrian surviving and the pedestrian dying.
When a driver fails to take one of these steps, they can expect to be accused of negligence if they hit a pedestrian.