When a sidewalk is not available, which direction should a pedestrian walk?

When a sidewalk is not available, pedestrians should always walk facing traffic. This practice allows pedestrians to see oncoming vehicles, giving them the opportunity to react appropriately if a vehicle approaches too closely. Walking in this manner enhances safety, as it enables pedestrians to make eye contact with drivers and better assess whether they are being seen.

This is particularly important because it increases awareness on both sides—pedestrians can be more vigilant about their surroundings, and drivers can be alerted to the presence of pedestrians in the roadway. Walking with traffic, on the other hand, limits visibility of approaching vehicles and can lead to dangerous situations where pedestrians might not be aware of their proximity to passing cars. In addition, walking in the center of the road is inherently unsafe, as it puts the pedestrian directly in the path of vehicles. Choosing any direction lacks the safety consideration that walking facing traffic inherently provides.