- According to Asotránsito, pedestrians “do not have it easy” in Venezuela due to the “limited” conditions for getting around | Photo: INTT
Every August 17th, World Pedestrian Day is celebrated, a date on which the non-governmental organization (NGO) Asotránsito highlights the vulnerability of pedestrians in Venezuela and the work that remains to be done in road safety education.
Lilian Romero, director and founder of the NGO Asotránsito, insisted that this is a date to raise awareness among the population.
“This is done to encourage government agencies, the media and the population to carry out activities that help improve pedestrian safety: their performance on the road, to raise awareness of how many people die each year in traffic accidents and to improve their performance on the road,” he explained in an interview for The Diary.
In this regard, Romero considered that pedestrians are “one of the most vulnerable members of the road community.”
Why is World Pedestrian Day celebrated?
In 1897, the World Health Organization (WHO) established August 17 as World Pedestrian Day. The date was established that year when the first death of a pedestrian in a traffic accident was recorded.
“Pedestrians don’t have it easy in Venezuela”
According to Romero, pedestrians “do not have it easy in Venezuela” due to the “limited” conditions they have for getting around.
“We see sidewalks and boulevards taken over by the informal economy, with motor vehicles circulating on them because there is a lot of traffic and they take over the sidewalks, and we also see motorcycles parked on the sidewalks,” he said.
He also listed other obstacles on the road for pedestrians:
-Pedestrian crossings need to be highlighted
-That the traffic lights work
-That vertical traffic signs are at all pedestrian crossings
He also said that there is still a lot of “hard work” to be done to ensure that pedestrians feel safe when travelling in Venezuela.
“The idea at the international level of the United Nations (UN) is that there is sustainable mobility. This means that pedestrians are the priority and that they feel better walking on short journeys using their vehicles,” he said.
Increase in collisions with elderly pedestrians
Romero recalled that in Venezuela there are no figures and data on victims of traffic accidents involving pedestrians. However, he said that between 2023 and 2024 they have recorded an increase in the number of elderly people run over.
“We have seen an increase in the number of elderly people being run over, whether by public transport or motor vehicles,” he said.
He also said that pedestrian accidents have also been reported at intersections where the traffic lights are not working and where there is no crosswalk markings.
In cases where these two elements exist, Asotránsito has reported pedestrians being run over by motorcyclists who “do not respect intersections.”
Recommendations for Venezuelan pedestrians
Romero offered a series of recommendations for pedestrians to have safe mobility in Venezuela:
-Always cross at corners
-Do not use headphones at high volume and avoid handling your cell phone while walking on the streets.
-Wear light and reflective clothing at night
-Never be overconfident when crossing a road and look to the opposite side in case a motorized vehicle passes on the wrong side.
-Make eye contact with the driver when crossing to ensure that he or she gives the pedestrian the right of way.
-It is always advisable to use the catwalk
-If you see elderly people, offer to help them cross. Romero recalled that many of these people have limited peripheral vision and a shorter reaction time.
What should the authorities in Venezuela improve?
From Asotránsito, Lilian Romero pointed out some points that the authorities in Venezuela should take into account to improve the lives of pedestrians:
-Teach road safety: pedestrians must cross the road using the markings, use the walkway, and at night they must wear light-colored or reflective clothing.
-Improve road signs: pedestrian crossing, pavement markings, vertical signs
-Relieve congestion on sidewalks and make them safer. Romero said that for many years more space has been given to vehicles than to pedestrians.
-All schools must have signs for safe entry and return of children.
Faced with the challenges, the lack of road safety education and the work that remains to be done in Venezuela, the founder of AsotransitLilian Romero advised pedestrians to trust their instincts and remain cautious while traveling on the roads.
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2024-08-17 15:17:16
