Nobody really wants to go out in the cold winter weather — especially if they have to wait on the bus. But public transportation is both ecologically and economically friendly, so it’s increasingly become the mode of travel for many.
Winter, however, can make safety around passenger buses a bit tricky, particularly in inclement weather.
How can you protect yourself against danger when riding the bus?
Most of what you can do to guard against a serious accident with a bus comes down to two things: Being prepared and staying alert. A lack of foresight can leave you scrambling, and distractions are always dangerous around motor vehicles of any kind.
With that in mind, here are some suggestions:
- Know your route. If you try to figure out where you need to get off or make a new connection as you go, you won’t have your focus on the traffic around you as you get on and off the bus, and that’s an invitation for disaster.
- Plan for extra time. Slogging through the snow or slush can make your journey to a bus stop a bit dicey — and running to catch a bus because you’re late could lead to a tragic fall.
- Watch your clothing and carry-ons. Loose clothing, drawstrings or a dangling strap on your backpack could all get caught in the doors of a bus when you exit, and that could pull you to the ground or even drag you along the road.
- Walk facing traffic. If you have to skirt out into the road because there are no sidewalks (or one is blocked by snow), make sure that you walk facing traffic so that you can see vehicles as they approach.
- Wear something reflective. The days are very short right now, so the odds are high that you’ll be at the bus stop in the dark. Reflective clothing helps you remain visible not only to the bus driver but others on the road.
Despite your best efforts, you may still end up in an accident with the bus (or while on it). If that happens, make sure that you fully protect your legal interests as you pursue a claim for compensation.
