Three High-Risk Pedestrian Areas And Scenarios
In 2017 alone, the CDC estimates that there were 5,977 deaths due to traffic crashes in America. This means that approximately one pedestrian death occurred every 88 minutes in 2017 in the United States. Additionally, the CDC estimates that over 130,000 pedestrians were admitted to emergency departments for accident-related nonfatal injuries in the same year.
According to Smart Growth America, a US non-profit organization whose mission is to make sure that urban development policies foster equitable, safe, and sustainable community growth, Florida roads are the most dangerous in the nation for pedestrians. Between 2010 and 2019, Smart Growth America estimates that the state of Florida witnessed 5,893 pedestrian fatalities. Such reports are scary and show that a lot needs to be done to ensure pedestrian safety.
Most drivers are usually keen on avoiding potential accidents with other cars. But, unfortunately, not enough drivers are keen on avoiding potential collisions with pedestrians. Drivers sometimes forget that their cars pose a great danger to people around and on the road. Drivers should know that they owe every road user and not just other drivers a duty of care. It is every driver’s responsibility to do their best to ensure the safety of the pedestrians they encounter.
Nonetheless, even though drivers owe pedestrians a duty of care, pedestrians too need to play their part. One of the best ways for Florida motorists to avoid hitting pedestrians or Florida pedestrians to avoid being hit is to identify high-risk areas and scenarios and exercise extra caution in those areas and scenarios.
The following are three high-risk pedestrian areas and scenarios every driver and pedestrian should know about.
School Zones
Usually, there are many pedestrians around schools, so when driving around school zones, drivers need to be extra cautious. When within a school zone, a driver needs to pay attention to crosswalk areas. Drivers also need to pay attention to parents and children leaving and entering cars and buses.
The CDC approximates that 1 in every 5 children under the age of fifteen killed in traffic crashes in 2017 were pedestrians. The chances are, some of those children were killed around school zones.
Night Time
According to the NHTSA, 76% of the pedestrian fatalities that were witnessed in 2018 occurred after dark when many pedestrians had alcohol in their systems. So, motorists need to be aware of pedestrians who might be too intoxicated to notice danger when driving at night. Also, since lighting conditions can have an effect on pedestrian accidents, anyone walking, jogging, or driving at night should be extra cautious.
Parking Lots
Passengers and drivers need to be extremely careful when driving or walking around in parking lots, which are equally the domain for both people and vehicles. You need to be cautious when in a parking lot, especially because there are often no designated sidewalks for pedestrians in parking lots.
Contact a Florida Personal Injury Attorney
If you are in Florida and were hit and injured by a negligent driver while walking or jogging, remember that you have rights. Our West Palm Beach personal injury attorneys at The Pendas Law Firm can help you protect your legal rights and acquire the compensation you deserve. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.
The Pendas Law Firm also represents clients in the Orlando, Tampa, Ocala, Jacksonville, Bradenton, Daytona Beach, Fort Myers, Fort Lauderdale, and Miami areas.
Resource:
cdc.gov/transportationsafety/pedestrian_safety/index.html
