These days, more pedestrians are injured or killed crossing roads in the U.S. than in the past few decades. Even though cars now come equipped with more advanced safety features, the number of pedestrian accidents and fatalities is steadily rising. This increase is caused by a variety of factors, including distracted driving, speeding, and changing road conditions that are often not designed with pedestrian safety in mind.
These days injured pedestrians are actively taking legal action against negligent drivers, which is why there is a brighter spotlight on these issues. Hire a pedestrian accident attorney from TopDog Law if you’ve been hurt in a pedestrian accident and are looking to pursue compensation. With the help of these professionals, victims can find answers and seek fair compensation.
Let’s look at the five most popular reasons why pedestrian accidents are on the rise.
1. Distracted Walking
When drivers use cell phones or other devices, they aren’t paying attention to the road. Pedestrians who do the same thing are also putting themselves in danger. On both sides, people are not paying attention to what’s going on around them.
If you look down at your phone for even a second, you might miss a red light or a person crossing the street. The problem is even worse in busy areas because people might have to walk very close to traffic. Therefore, staying alert is key for both cars and pedestrians.
2. Speeding in Pedestrian Zones
People often drive too fast in places where a lot of people are walking. Places like school zones, residential streets, and shopping places are some examples. It’s harder to stop quickly if someone steps into the street when you’re going too fast.
When a car hits a person at a high speed, the results are usually very severe. A lot of people drive faster than the speed limit, especially on wide roads with not many stop signs. Lower speed limits and signs that are easy to see can help reduce the risk.
3. Poor Visibility at Night
In the evening or early morning, a lot of crashes involving pedestrians often occur. Drivers can’t see people crossing the street when there isn’t enough light. This is very true when people walk around in dark clothes.
Streetlights do not always provide enough visibility. The risk is even higher when it’s raining or foggy. When it’s dark, both drivers and pedestrians need to be extra careful.
4. Impaired Driving and Walking
Pedestrians are in a lot of danger when car drivers are drunk or drug-impaired. They respond more slowly and make worse decisions. A lot of pedestrian deaths happen at night when drivers are drunk.
It’s not just the drivers, though. When pedestrians are drunk, they might cross the street without looking at the signals or wander into traffic. Because of this combination of poor judgment and low awareness, nighttime is a dangerous period.
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5. Drivers Failing to Yield
Some drivers don’t stop at crosswalks and don’t let pedestrians go first. In other words, they don’t yield to pedestrians. When people are focused on traffic, like when they are making a left turn, they often miss people crossing. A lot of these accidents happen at intersections.
People on foot can still be hit even when they have the right of way. Drivers who don’t want to wait may try to rush through or around them. These accidents could be avoided by making the road markings clearer and being stricter about following the rules about yielding.
It’s easy to see why there are more pedestrian accidents. Drivers who drive recklessly, roads that aren’t built well, and people who walk around without being careful all contribute to these accidents. Addressing these five things can make walking safer for everyone.
