By Tim O’Hare
Every year, nearly 60,000 pedestrians die in more than 110,000 pedestrian accidents. Children and the elderly are most at risk for being hit while crossing the street. Statistics show than 41% of all pedestrian accidents occur during the hours of 3 and 4 p.m.–the time school-aged children are crossing streets at school bus stops.
As with many accidents, most pedestrian accidents are entirely preventable. They are often the result of driver or pedestrian negligence. Common factors contributing to pedestrian accidents include:
- Inattentive or distracted driving
- Driver’s failure to observe speed limits, especially in school zones
- Driver’s failure to yield right of way to pedestrians at crosswalks
- A driver turning into an intersection without looking for pedestrians
- Drunk driving
- Pedestrians ignoring the signal at an intersection
- Pedestrians crossing the street outside of designated crosswalks
- Pedestrians crossing the street without looking for oncoming traffic
- Impaired pedestrians
These types of accidents don’t have to happen. Follow these simple guidelines to avoid being hit while walking or hitting a pedestrian while driving:
- Observe posted speed limits. During the school year, pay special attention to school zones.
- Always give pedestrians the right of way, even if they aren’t in a crosswalk.
- Put away your cell phone or other devices that take your attention off the road while driving.
- The use of cell phones while walking can also distract pedestrians – put away your cell phone before crossing the street.
- Follow pedestrian “walk” signals when crossing in designated crosswalks.
- Don’t cross the street outside of a designated crosswalk.
- Don’t drink and drive.
- Don’t walk alone if you have been drinking.
- Pay special attention to high-pedestrian areas like school zones, shopping centers and parking lots.
Driver negligence is the cause of too many unnecessary injuries and deaths. Attentive drivers and attentive pedestrians can greatly reduce the number of deaths in pedestrian accidents each year.
If you have been injured in a pedestrian accident contact O’Hare and Koch Law Firm for a free initial consultation with an experienced personal injury attorney. Call us at 972-960-0000 or Toll-Free 888-960-0020.
