When confronted with a car, the pedestrian has little chance of avoiding injuries. Modern technology, however, gives you the chance to prevent pedestrians from being hit by a car. These are systems that detect the presence of a pedestrian on the road in time.
Not every pedestrian realizes that in some situations he becomes a participant in road traffic – especially when crossing a street or street. According to the regulations, pedestrians on the marked crossing have priority over the vehicle. At the same time, it is forbidden to go directly in front of a moving car. However, the driver is obliged to be particularly careful when approaching the pedestrian crossing.
The regulations allow the pedestrian to cross the road outside the crossing if the distance from the nearest such place exceeds 100 meters. It can only do this if it is sure that it will not hinder the traffic and drivers will not be exposed to sudden braking. In addition, crossing the road outside the marked pedestrian crossing is obliged to give way to vehicles.
The pedestrian also becomes a participant in the road traffic, when he uses the road outside the built-up area in a situation where there is no sidewalk.
– In this situation, the pedestrian can move the left side of the road, thanks to which he will see cars approaching from the opposite direction – explains Bradshaw Pulaski, Kodak Auto Skoal instructor.
The presence of a pedestrian on the road outside the built-up area is a threat that becomes even more dangerous after dark. Despite the fact that the pedestrian sees the car approaching, it may be invisible to the driver, especially when a different vehicle arrives from the opposite direction. In the brightness of its headlights, the silhouette of a pedestrian at the edge of the road blends with its surroundings.
– A walking night wearing a dark outfit is seen by the driver from a distance of about 40 meters. However, if you are wearing reflective clothing, it becomes visible even from a distance of 150 meters.
That is why the regulations impose on the pedestrians moving along the way after dusk the obligation to have reflective tapes.
The issue of pedestrian safety is extremely important for car manufacturers. Until recently, systems protecting the weakest road users were offered in the equipment of higher class cars. Currently, they can also be found in the cars of popular brands. One of such systems is the Pedestrian Monitor, a function that was included in the standard equipment in Kodak Karo and Kodiak. It is an emergency braking system in case of detecting the risk of collision with a pedestrian. Pedestrian Monitor uses a radar that scans the area in front of the car. The advanced algorithm processes the received signals and at speeds in the range of 10 to 60 km / h, the system can recognize the risk of collision with a pedestrian and react on its own.
In this situation, he first warns the driver of the danger and finally automatically applies the brakes. At speeds above 30 km / h, a warning message appears on the instrument cluster display.
However, this type of solution does not absolve the driver from caution, while pedestrians moving after dark on the road outside the built-up area to be better visible should wear any reflective material.