Pedestrian safety alert: Defensive strategies against vehicle threats

By zoeysky // 2025-04-09

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Vehicle attacks are a real threat. Deliberate vehicle attacks (like the 2025 New Orleans incident) target crowded areas (festivals, protests, markets, etc.) for maximum harm. These attacks are sudden and hard to predict, but awareness and preparation can reduce risks.
Stay alert in public spaces and scan for erratic driving, parked cars facing crowds or aggressive behavior. Always note escape routes and avoid distractions like phones.
Use crosswalks safely. Make eye contact with drivers and check both ways. React quickly during an attack and don’t run straight. Move sideways (left/right) to escape the vehicle’s path.
Watch for secondary attacks (e.g., drivers exiting with weapons). Help others and prepare long-term to avoid accidents during vehicle attacks.
While rare, vehicle attacks are deadly. Staying alert, knowing how to react and preparing ahead can save lives.

On New Year’s Day 2025, a horrific vehicle attack in New Orleans left 14 people dead and dozens injured after a driver plowed into a crowd. Sadly, such incidents, where vehicles are used as weapons, have become a disturbing reality in cities worldwide. Vehicle attacks often target crowded areas like parades, markets, protests and tourist zones, where pedestrians are most vulnerable. While you can’t predict every threat, as a prepper, you can take steps to minimize risk. This guide provides practical tips on situational awareness, preparation and response strategies to help you stay safe. (h/t to ApartmentPrepper.com)

Understanding vehicle attacks

A vehicle attack occurs when a driver intentionally uses a car, truck or SUV to harm pedestrians. These attacks are sudden, leaving people little time to react. (Related: New Orleans tragedy: FBI and DHS warn of possible copycat attacks.) High-risk locations include:

Pedestrian-heavy zones (shopping streets, outdoor markets)
Public events (concerts, festivals and parades)
Political or protest gatherings

Since attackers seek maximum impact, awareness and preparation are crucial.

Situational awareness: your first line of defense

When SHTF, situational awareness -- understanding potential threats and knowing how to avoid or mitigate them -- could save you or someone else during a vehicle attack. Here are some tips to hone your situational awareness:

Scan your surroundings

While you're walking in public, look around constantly and watch for erratic driving, speeding vehicles or oddly parked cars. Identify escape routes when entering a crowded area. Look for at least two exits or barriers such as buildings, concrete planters or heavy objects that could block a vehicle.

Use crosswalks safely

Always use designated crosswalks and pedestrian signals to cross the street safely. Wait for the pedestrian signal and don’t assume drivers see you. Make eye contact with drivers to ensure that they’ve stopped before crossing. Check both ways before stepping off the curb, especially since the first half of the crossing is when drivers usually have the most difficulty noticing a pedestrian.

Avoid distractions

Stay alert and put your phone away. Walking while texting or listening to music reduces reaction time. Stay alert in high-risk zones and if something feels off, trust your instincts and move away.

Recognizing warning signs

Early detection can save lives. Watch out for:

Drivers appearing agitated or focused on pedestrians rather than traffic.
Aggressive or reckless driving, like sudden acceleration or swerving toward crowds.
Vehicles parked suspiciously, such as cars blocking sidewalks or facing crowds unnaturally.

If you see something suspicious, distance yourself and report it to authorities.

How to react during an attack

It's scary to think of being attacked while you're minding your own business just crossing the street, but as a prepper, it's always best to be overprepared than underprepared. If a vehicle suddenly speeds toward a crowd:

Move perpendicular to its path

This means not running straight ahead because vehicles move faster than you. Instead, run sideways (left or right) to get out of the way quickly.

Find cover

Strong barriers are your best defense during a vehicle attack. Duck behind concrete walls, light poles or parked cars. Get inside a building if possible because doors and walls offer better protection than open spaces.

Stay alert for secondary attacks

If the intention is to hurt as many people as possible, some attackers may follow up with weapons like guns or knives. If you see the driver exit the vehicle, keep moving to safety.

Help others if you can

Once you have avoided the initial attack, warn bystanders. Shout "Run!" or "Car!" to alert others. Assist vulnerable people by guiding children, the elderly or injured individuals to safety.

Long-term preparedness tips

Being prepared for vehicle attacks requires more than immediate action. Ensure long-term preparedness by:

Choosing safer routes

Avoid walking in areas with no barriers between pedestrians and traffic. When attending public events, choose those with visible security measures such as bollards or police presence.

Carry emergency supplies

Bringing a small first-aid kit with supplies like bandages and tourniquets can help you save lives. Keep your phone charged for emergencies.

Advocate for safer streets

Support having bollards and barriers in pedestrian zones. Encourage community safety training on threat response.

What to do after an attack

If you get involved in a vehicle attack, stay calm. Once you are safe, do the following:

Move to safety and avoid the area in case of follow-up attacks.
Call 911 and report the incident and provide details such as vehicle description and the driver’s appearance.
Assist the injured. If you are trained, administer first aid while waiting for help.
Seek emotional support. Surviving an attack can be traumatic. Counseling can help if you are mentally or emotionally distressed.

Vehicle attacks are rare but devastating. By staying alert, knowing escape routes and reacting quickly, you can drastically improve your chances of survival. Safety is a shared responsibility. Spread these tips, stay informed and encourage your community to prioritize pedestrian security.

Check out Health Ranger Store and Brighteon Store for more supplies for your prepping needs. Watch the video about a self-driving SUV that killed a pedestrian in Phoenix in 2018. This video is from the No Sugar Added channel on Brighteon.com.

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