What can you do to be more safe?

Everybody is doing things that aren't 100% safe, things we can improve.
Often it is car related. That's not mine; I rarely drive nowadays, I sold my car, instead I go by train (and I am not walking too close to the edge of the platform either, this winter a person slipped on the ice in Sweden and fell in front of the incoming train - I always take care but especially when it is icy and that freak accident showed the importance). Not driving so often means I am on extra alert when I do though, as I know I haven't driven in a while.

But one thing I can certainly do better is looking around when I walk on the pavement/sidewalk and pass garage exits etc. I just don't expect there to be a car coming - silly, I know, as garages/parking spaces are normally used for cars, right? The other day I had had way too much caffeine and I was walking fast past an exit where a car was coming out. I was a bit wobbly because of all the coffee, so I just didn't react as quickly as I should have, it was actually a bit scary. Yes, the car is supposed to take care and look out for pedestrians, but that hardly helps me if I am hit by the car, does it. I am not very interested in being in the hospital saying "I was right". I'd much rather not get hit in the first place. It could have been a close call last week.

Nope, I don't listen to my iPod or any other MP3 player when I am out in the traffic, regardless if it is on foot, for the same reason. I do like to hear what is going on around me - I use all my senses when I am out and about. In Düsseldorf one otherwise sees many different strange and dangerous traffic situations; Not just the triple parking which blocks the views of the rest of the traffic, but people on bikes listening to MP3-players, texting while driving - also on the bike (as well as using an umbrella on the bike - I rather use a rain coat, take the train or tram, or walk with an umbrella, I don't understand how they can balance AND steer while also trying to make sure they are dry using an umbrella)...