Causes of Pedestrians Killed or Injured in Traffic Accidents
On average, a pedestrian dies every two hours and is injured every seven minutes in vehicle collisions. More than 680,000 pedestrians were injured over the last decade. While these accidents account for just 12.6 percent of the total population, those over the age of 65 account for nearly 21 percent of pedestrian fatalities nationwide.
Primary Causes of Pedestrians Killed or Injured in Traffic Accidents
- Distracted Driving. People driving a passenger vehicle are distracted more than 50percent of the time, which doubles their risk of a crash.
- Distracted Pedestrian. A pedestrian is more likely to be involved in an accident when he or she jaywalks, darts in front of a vehicle, is texting and walking, disrupts the normal flow of traffic, or doesn’t wear reflective gear at night.
- Nearly three-quarters of pedestrian fatalities after dark were due to the pedestrian being intoxicated. Roughly 15 percent of motorists involved in pedestrian fatalities after dark were drunk.
- Speeding. Higher vehicle speed increases the likelihood of a pedestrian being struck by a car.
How can Pedestrians prevent injury and death from motor vehicles?
- Use sidewalks. Know and obey safety rules (e.g., if a “don’t walk” signal starts blinking when you’re halfway across an intersection, continue walking).
- Cross only at the intersection or crosswalk.
- Look in both directions for traffic before you step off of the curb.
- See and make sure you can be seen.
- Watch children closely and teach them the safety rules.
How can motorists help prevent injuries and deaths from motor vehicle crashes?
- Look out for pedestrians at all times.
- Use additional caution when driving in hard-to-see conditions, such as at nighttime or in bad weather.
- Slow down. Prepare to stop when turning or entering a crosswalk.
- Yield to pedestrians in crosswalks. Stop a safe distance back from the crosswalk to allow other vehicles an opportunity to see crossing pedestrians.
- Do not ever pass vehicles stopped at a crosswalk because people could be crossing.
- Don’t drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
- Follow the speed limit.
- Follow slower speed limits in school zones and in neighborhoods where there are children present.
- Be extra cautious when backing up – pedestrians can move into your path.
If you have suffered any type of personal injury, please call Goldberg Persky & White 412-471-3980 or fill out our contact form and one of our attorneys will evaluate your case at no charge.
