Why is South Florida So Dangerous For Pedestrians?
According to an article recently published by WPTV News 5, South Florida is one of the most dangerous areas in the country for pedestrians. The “Dangerous by Design”study highlighted in the article reportedly measured how many pedestrians are hit and killed by drivers every year, in relation to the population of those areas. That report indicates that the Miami-Ft. Lauderdale-West Palm Beach metropolitan area is the 14th most dangerous place in America for pedestrians. Tragically, between 2008 and 2017, there were 1,549 pedestrian deaths in that region alone.
Incidents continue to occur in our community that validate these statistics. For example, the Palm Beach Post recently reported that two pedestrians were run over by a West Palm Beach police car while supposedly watching the January lunar eclipse.
Why is South Florida So Dangerous For Pedestrians?
While there is no exact reason that can be pinpointed, factors that are likely contributing include:
- The weather. South Florida has beautiful weather for almost the entire year. Therefore, people tend to stay outdoors more than they would in other places. This can also encourage people to walk in situations where they would feel compelled to drive in many other parts of the country.
- The tourists. Between the amusement parks in the beautiful beaches, South Florida attracts large numbers of people from other states and countries for vacations. These people can also choose to walk to their destinations. However, as they are unfamiliar with their routes, they may have a more difficult time abiding by traffic signals than local Floridians. As they are vacationing, it is also common for tourists to drink before setting out for their destination.
- The sizable elderly population. While many older people are spry, some have a more difficult time moving and can take longer to cross intersections, making them vulnerable targets for impatient drivers. Further, memory issues become more common as age increases and older pedestrians can become disoriented, making it more difficult for them to progress on their route safely.
What Should Pedestrians Do to Help Them Stay Safe?
- Stay on a sidewalk or path whenever one is available.
- Try not to walk on highways, freeways, or other roads that are not pedestrian-friendly.
- Avoid alcohol and drugs before walking. If you have utilized a mind-altering substance, consider using a ride-sharing app such as Lyft or Uber instead of walking.
- Wear brightly colored clothing that gives you a better chance of helping you stand out from your surroundings.
- Attach reflective gear and carry a flashlight when walking at night.
- Listen out for traffic while walking and keep your eyes and ears out for vehicles that may not see you.
- Try to be predictable as a pedestrian. This includes crossing streets at crosswalks or intersections whenever possible.
You Can Depend On Us For Help.
Despite your best efforts to remain safe while walking from place to place, you can still be injured. If you have been injured or lost a loved one in a pedestrian accident that you believe occurred because of the driver’s negligence, then allow us to help. Contact the experienced West Palm Beach personal injury attorneys of The Pendas Law Firm today and we will help you recover the compensation you are entitled to.
The Pendas Law Firm also represents clients in the Tampa, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, Miami, Daytona, Jacksonville, and Bradenton areas.
Resources:
palmbeachpost.com/news/20190121/two-struck-by-west-palm-police-car-were-they-watching-eclipse
wptv.com/news/region-c-palm-beach-county/report-south-florida-is-one-of-the-most-dangerous-areas-in-u-s-for-pedestrians
