You may walk for fun or you may walk out of necessity, but in either case you want to walk safely. So, when choosing a walking route, be it to a school, park or any other neighborhood location, you may want to scout the area out. This is especially true when you are picking out a route that your child will walk on his or her own.

So what criteria can you use when choosing a walking route? The following are things you can check to help determine the walkability of routes you are considering using.

• You want to be able to cross the streets with ease. You should avoid routes with streets that are too wide or have obstructed views of traffic.
• Take note of how the motorists in the area behave. Avoid taking routes where the motorists drive too fast or do not yield properly to pedestrians.
• You need plenty of walking room. If there is an overabundance of traffic or if the sidewalks are blocked or damaged, then you should choose another route.
• The route should be pleasant to walk. Be aware if there are any people or dogs that you find intimidating on the route. Also, avoid routes that are poorly lit.

By educating yourself about your area, you can figure out the safest walking routes. Unfortunately, any route that requires walking near traffic or using a crosswalk can hold potential dangers for pedestrians.

A pedestrian can easily suffer serious or even fatal injuries if struck by a motor vehicle. A victim may have to spend weeks or months in recovery. Medical expenses for such treatments are extremely costly.

If you or a loved one is ever injured by a motor vehicle, you may wish to contact an experienced motor vehicle accident attorney. The attorney could act on your behalf as you attempt to secure compensation.