In recent years, the number of pedestrian fatalities has increased. In many of these accidents, the driver is distracted, pedestrians are more likely to die when drunk, and the speed limit can play a role in the severity of the injuries. Here are some of the most shocking facts about pedestrian accidents. Hopefully, these facts will help you avoid a pedestrian accident or be safer on the road.
Drivers are Distracted
Distracted driving is a prevalent cause of serious accidents, especially for young drivers. A recent survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that 39 % of high school students admitted to texting while driving. While it is certainly possible to avoid being distracted while driving, the consequences of not focusing on the road can be very severe.
Pedestrians in Parking Lots
While parking lots are not as dangerous as urban streets, they pose additional causes of pedestrian accidents. While walking through a parking lot, you should always be alert to all parked cars in the area.
Avoid backing up your car into someone, leading to an accident. Instead, walk down the center of the lane to increase your visibility. In parking lots, children are hazardous, as drivers aren’t always aware of them. Also, make sure you walk a safe distance away from the entrances to avoid collisions with cars.
Drivers Fail to Comply with Traffic Laws
A recent study by the World Health Organization (WHO) shows that hit-and-run drivers cause nearly 60% of pedestrian fatalities. These drivers fail to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians and often don’t see the pedestrians in time to avoid hitting them.
Distracted driving may also be contributing to this increase, as distracted drivers often don’t see pedestrians crossing the street. In addition to distracted driving, many pedestrian accidents are caused by bad road conditions.
Pedestrians on Interstates vs. the Rural Areas
Pedestrian deaths on interstates are twice as high as those in rural areas. Furthermore, most pedestrian fatalities occur on state highways and interstates with 55 mph or higher speed limits.
Despite these facts, pedestrian fatalities have increased and continue to rise – at an alarming rate. In addition, many states prohibit the use of pedestrians on interstates.
Deaths of pedestrians by time and location
If you look closely at pedestrian death statistics, you’ll notice that most of the accidents occur at night. Moreover, 70% of pedestrians killed in traffic accidents occur between the hours of 6 PM and 6 AM.
Interestingly, most of these pedestrian deaths occur on Friday nights and Saturday nights, which likely indicates they are not commuters. Similarly, most fatalities also occur in urban areas, with 76% occurring in metro areas as opposed to just 24% outside the city.
One of the most interesting things about pedestrian fatalities today is the specific locations in which they usually occur. There are only about 26% of pedestrian fatalities that happen at intersections, despite them being the busiest places on the road.
Some Drivers Choose Not to Pay Attention to Pedestrians on the Crosswalks
Sadly, many of these accidents involve children, so the highest percentage of pedestrian fatalities and injuries in 2019.
Motor vehicle drivers are required by law to yield to pedestrians at crosswalks. However, many pedestrians fail to yield to motorists and end up in catastrophic injury or death. That’s why it’s essential to walk with caution and wear reflective clothing.
Conclusion
Don’t forget to stay alert, especially when you are a pedestrian. Other than the driver’s ability to control it, many factors affect a vehicle. A driver might lose control due to driving too fast or driving while intoxicated or faulty brakes, among many other reasons. Pedestrians have no chance against a fast-moving car, so they must be careful.