Pedestrian Traffic Fatality Stats are Shocking!

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“It has been more than 25 years since the U.S. experienced this level of pedestrian fatalities.”

It’s summertime. Since the weather is nice, now is the time to put that New Year’s resolution workout into motion. Runners, bikers, and dog walkers hit the sidewalks looking to enjoy Kansas’ brief window of warm, windless weather. The last thing a pedestrian expects is to be hit by a negligent driver. All drivers need to exercise extra caution. Due to the shocking stats that follow, pedestrians and drivers should take needed precautions to make certain everyone completes their trip safely.

The Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA), and the State Highway Safety Offices (SHSO) analyzed pedestrian fatalities. Overall, pedestrian fatalities have increased by 27 percent in the last nine years. Twenty three states reported increased pedestrian fatalities while only 20 states reported decreased fatalities. Five states (California, Florida, Texas, New York, and Arizona) account for 43 percent of all reported deaths.

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Because pedestrian accidents continue to climb, efforts to reduce fatalities continue.  Each state produces an annual Highway Safety Plan outlining ways to reduce pedestrian accidents.  Measures include targeted law enforcement efforts, public information campaigns, identifying high-risk zones, and improved engineering. The GHSA encourages increased separation of pedestrians from motor vehicles by building more sidewalks, pedestrian overpasses/underpasses, new traffic signals, and countdown signs that provide ample crossing time.  Also, the GHSA  recommends making pedestrians more visible.  These measures include better street lighting, high-visibility street lights, and flashing lights mounted on crosswalk signs. With each state writing their own protective measures, officials expect to see decreases across the board for pedestrian fatalities.

INVOLVED IN A PEDESTRIAN ACCIDENT?

Be aware those who may be responsible for your injuries might try to blame you for the accident by claiming you caused the accident. If you have been involved in a pedestrian accident, you should:

  1. Contact an attorney, call Patterson Legal Group, LC at 888-687-2400
  2. Do not leave the scene of the accident before help arrives.
  3. Gather names and phone numbers of any witnesses.
  4. Make no statements to anyone,  including drivers and insurers.

For more information, click here. To review the full GHSA report, click here.

Injured as a pedestrian? Call Patterson Legal Group now! Call 888-687-2400 now for a free case consultation!

The information on this blog is for informational purposes only. It is not meant to serve as legal advice for an individual case or situation. This information is not intended to create an attorney-client relationship nor does viewing this material constitute an attorney-client relationship.