Distracted Pedestrians Around Vehicles
A safety talk focused on distracted pedestrian hazards around vehicles, including phones, earbuds, blind spots, backing vehicles, parking lots, work zones, and maintaining awareness near traffic.
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Key Hazards
- Pedestrians walking into vehicle paths while distracted
- Workers using phones or earbuds around moving vehicles
- Pedestrians entering blind spots around trucks or equipment
- Backing vehicles striking workers on foot
- Poor eye contact between drivers and pedestrians
- Workers assuming drivers or operators can see them
2–3 Minute Talk Script
Pedestrians can be distracted too. Around vehicles, even a few seconds of looking at a phone, paperwork, or a tablet can put a worker in the path of moving equipment or traffic.
Workers on foot should stay aware in parking lots, yards, loading areas, job sites, roadways, garages, and service areas.
Phones, earbuds, tablets, clipboards, and conversations should not distract workers while walking near vehicles or equipment.
Pedestrians should avoid walking behind vehicles that may back up and should stay out of blind spots around trucks, trailers, vans, loaders, forklifts, and work vehicles.
Eye contact or clear acknowledgment should be made before crossing in front of a vehicle or entering a work area where vehicles are moving.
Drivers should also watch for distracted pedestrians and avoid assuming workers on foot will hear alarms, horns, or verbal warnings.
Designated walkways, cones, barriers, and traffic patterns should be used when available.
Safe pedestrian behavior around vehicles depends on staying alert, putting devices away while walking, using designated paths, and making sure drivers and operators know where you are.
Safety Reminders
- Put phones away while walking near vehicles.
- Avoid earbuds where vehicle awareness is needed.
- Stay out of blind spots.
- Do not walk behind backing vehicles.
- Make eye contact before crossing near vehicles.
- Use marked walkways when available.
- Assume drivers may not see or hear you.
Ask the Crew
- Where do pedestrians and vehicles interact today?
- Are workers using phones or earbuds near traffic?
- Are blind spots around vehicles understood?
- Are marked walkways or barriers available?
- How will pedestrians confirm drivers see them?