Walking, it is great for everyone to stay in shape and has many health benefits. But the problem is that walking on the roads and streets leaves pedestrians extremely vulnerable and at risk of accidents.
Pedestrian deaths and fatal injuries have been on the rise across the country. A recent report by the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) revealed that a sharp increase of 10 percent was seen in pedestrian death rate between 2014 and 2015, which was the largest in the past 40 years.
Here are some shocking statistics regarding pedestrian injuries and deaths from traffic-related incidents gathered from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Center for Diseases Control (CDC):
- A pedestrian is 1.5 times more at risk of being killed in a traffic accident than an occupant of a vehicle.
- Approximately 5000 pedestrians die every year due to auto accidents.
- In every 2 hours, a pedestrian dies in a traffic-related accident.
- Every day, 430 people are treated in emergency departments after sustaining injuries from a traffic-related pedestrian accident.
- In 2013, about 4,735 pedestrians died in traffic accidents, and over 156,000 were treated for non-fatal injuries in emergency departments.
- About 20 percent of pedestrian traffic deaths take place because of hit-and-run drivers.
There are some locations where pedestrian-related traffic accidents are more common than others. About 73 percent of all deaths happen in urban areas, while 79 percent occur in non-intersections. The three biggest contributing factors to pedestrian deaths due to traffic accidents are vehicle speed, distracted driving, and driving under influence of alcohol and drugs.
Time of the day is another huge factor that results in pedestrian deaths. Pedestrians are at a greater risk of being hit by a vehicle when it is dark. It has been found that 72 percent of all pedestrian traffic accidents take place between 6 pm and 3 am on the weekends and between 6 pm and midnight on weekdays.
Staying Safe on the Roads
As you can see from these numbers, roads are not safe for pedestrians, as they are constantly at the risk of being involved in a traffic related accident. But if you keep in mind the following safety tips, you can significantly reduce the probability of injury or death while walking near roadways:
- Cross the streets using designated crosswalks and at intersections whenever possible.
- Never drink and walk near or on roadways.
- Since most accidents take place during the evening and night time, you should carry a flashlight or wear reflective clothing to increase visibility for yourself and drivers.
- Always try to walk on the sidewalk. If there isn’t one, walk on the side of lane with oncoming traffic.
- As a driver, you should always yield the right of way to pedestrians.
- Avoid wear headphones while walking.
- Vehicles have blind spots, so you should be attentive while walking on a crosswalk.
Pedestrian accidents are traumatic and fatal, and have a higher chance of death. If your loved one was a victim of a traffic-related pedestrian accident, you should file a wrongful death lawsuit against the responsible party. Contact Fisk & Monteleone LTD. today at 815-209-9030 to schedule a free case consultation with one of our experienced wrongful death lawyers and evaluate your legal options.
Leave a Reply