According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are over 40,000 pedestrians hit by an automobile each year.
Over 4,000 pedestrians are killed.
At some point, we are all pedestrians who utilize sidewalks, crosswalks, or roadways.
Because of this, we should all learn and practice safe pedestrian behaviors in order to prevent accidents to the best of our ability.
Further, parents should also teach and practice these behaviors with their children.
Following are the top five safe pedestrian behaviors:

1. Look Left-Right -Left: Whenever crossing the street, a pedestrian should look to their left, then their right, then their left again to ensure that there is no oncoming traffic before they begin to cross.
   If a car stops so that you can cross, you also need to ensure that any oncoming traffic in the opposite direction is stopping also before you begin to cross the road.
   As you cross the road, you should continue to look left-right-left in order to avoid any quickly approaching cars
2. Cross at an intersection or corner: crossing at a crosswalk at a corner or intersection provides the best safety for a pedestrian because cars are more alert in these areas than in the open roadway.
   If you must cross the road somewhere other than a corner, you should still look for a crosswalk.
   In these areas you should be doubly aware, as cars increased speed makes oncoming pedestrians more at risk for being hit and injured by a car.
   
3. Walk facing traffic.
   If a sidewalk is available, pedestrians should always use them.
   If, however, a sidewalk is not available, pedestrians are most visible to motorists when walking towards oncoming traffic rather than with it.
   
4. Wear reflective clothing at night: During the day, pedestrians should wear bright clothing that can be easily seen by drivers.
   At night, however, bright or light colored clothing is not enough.
   Pedestrians who walk at night should always walk wearing reflective clothing and carrying a flashlight to help increase their visibility to oncoming motorists.
   
5. Walk, don't run.
   Children darting into the street is one of the main causes for their injury in pedestrian accidents.
   Teach children that they should never run into a road, but walk with caution.
   Teach them to always cross at a crosswalk, corner, or intersection.
   Children are often hit because they begin to cross the road from behind a parked car or other object that obstructs the oncoming driver's view of them.
   

The National Highway and Safety Administration reminds parents that any children under the age of ten need supervision when crossing roadways and that the best way parent can teach their children safe crossing behaviors is by practicing themselves and discussing them with their children.
Pedestrian accidents can cause severe injuries to the pedestrian or even death.
Pedestrian lawyers can help try to earn back compensation for the victim or their family, but oftentimes there is no amount of compensation that can make a situation better.
Because of this, make sure that you and your children always practice safe pedestrian behaviors.