Section 3: Situations of Uncertainty - What Now? -- Page
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Assess the Risk of the Crossing
Putting it all together!
We've talked about the variables to consider when determining the probable consequences of crossing in a given Situation of Uncertainty.
These include the probability that you'll be surprised and then hit by a vehicle and if that happens,
how likely your injury will be severe or fatal, and whether you have the right of way.
For example, if you are in a Situation of Uncertainty,
- the possibility that you will be surprised by a vehicle during your crossing is higher if there is more traffic and less warning of approaching vehicles (their detection-to-arrival time).
- If there IS an unexpected vehicle, the possibility that it will stop for you is higher when the drivers are going slowly, they have a good line of sight and good road conditions and are expecting pedestrians, there is only one approaching lane, and you have a white cane and are waiting with a foot in the street.
- If you ARE hit by an unexpected vehicle, the possibility that you will be severely injured or killed is higher when the vehicles are going fast.
- If you are crossing where you legally have the right of way because of the particular laws in your state, you might not expect that drivers will yield but you will have legal recourse if you are hit.
On the other hand, even though you are legally permitted to cross where you don't have the right of way, you are required to yield to drivers there, so you may have no recourse if you are hit while crossing.
These variables should be considered in combination to assess the level of risk.
Examples of weighing those factors are on page 13 of this section ("Want to apply this to real situations?") and Section 5, Vignette 3 (Considering risks").
Risk Analysis Checklist
I've developed a checklist to record the various factors to consider when analyzing risks of crossing in Situations of Uncertainty.
The second page of the checklist (which can be printed on the back) shows a list of alternatives to consider if the risk of crossing is not acceptable (these are covered later in this Section).
To download the checklist, click on the "Risk Analysis Checklist" link above.