.png)
Pedestrians were unfortunately the most frequent cause of childhood fatalities in the U.S. One-hundred percent of pedestrian fatalities in the U.S. in 2016 involved a vehicle. In 2016, pedestrians accounted for 27% of fatalities in traffic accidents per year. In North America, pedestrians account for 40% of all traffic fatalities per year, which means they account for more traffic fatalities than car drivers do. Pedestrians dominate the world’s roads, but they account for only a small percentage of traffic fatalities. For example, in the United States, the number of pedestrians killed in traffic accidents, which includes both air and road crashes, outnumbered road accident fatalities in 2013. However, this is not the case in other parts of the world. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that in 2016, there will be more than 1.24 million road traffic deaths worldwide.
Why are pedestrian vehicular accidents on the rise?
Pedestrians are twice as likely to be victims of accidents when compared to a motorist. This is not surprising when you consider that pedestrians are vulnerable in the absence of cars, are not in control of their own speed, are not familiar with the roads, and often do not react as quickly as drivers to the potential risks of the situation. This makes pedestrians more prone to accidents and lends credibility to the idea that vehicular accidents could be reduced if the number of such accidents could also be reduced.
How to prevent pedestrian vehicular deaths?
For the Drivers
Be Patient with the Seniors and People with a challenges
While drivers cause the vast majority of pedestrian deaths, not all drivers are equally responsible for these deaths. The vast majority of drivers who kill pedestrians are drunk, but there are other situations where one driver may be responsible for someone’s death. For example, if you are blind, the law may require an additional distance between you and the vehicle you are riding in. If you are deaf, the law may require that the driver be able to hear you pass you safely.
You need to Slow Down in Pedestrian Areas
Going to the grocery store can be a hectic event. You don’t want to run into someone or run into something. But you also don’t want to miss your stop in the parking lot. While driving to the grocery store, you may feel like you’re driving too slow to avoid accidents. But, when driving to the grocery store, if you slow to a safe speed, you can see pedestrians in your path and then slow to give the person time to cross the street safely.
Take the weather into consideration
In most states, pedestrians have the same right of way as motorists, especially when walking on a roadway. Pedestrians need to be aware of their surroundings and exercise caution because motorists and traffic may behave erratically and unpredictably.
For the Pedestrians
Go only to the designated crossing area
Designated crossing areas have been around for a long time now. In fact, they have been required in some states for a much longer time. But, as the city streets have filled up with us, so have the number of people who cross streets without a plan. With construction, construction zones, and construction workers, life becomes a little more complicated. So, what is a pedestrian to do?
Watch out for vehicles
It is not uncommon for drivers to cut ahead of stopped vehicles, especially during rush hour traffic. However, does this behavior cause more accidents than it prevents? Although driver error is often the cause of pedestrian accidents, it is also true that pedestrians are often at fault. However, it is important to note that pedestrians are more likely to have an accident if they are distracted by their cell phones. Because of this, it is important to obey the law and remain alert when attempting to determine whether or not a vehicle is stopped in front of you.
Do not Expect that the Drivers will always See You
The most common causes of pedestrian deaths and serious injuries in the United States are: distracted drivers (7% of pedestrian deaths), impaired drivers (9%), and hit-and-run drivers (9%). A study by the Governors Highway Safety Association also indicates that about 15% of pedestrian deaths and serious injuries in the United States are related to jaywalking, and another 9% of pedestrian deaths and serious injuries are due to illegal pedestrian crossings.
When it comes to personal injury, there is no one-size-fits-all. No matter how careful you are, there will always be times when you come across someone who is careless. Regardless of how careful you are, there will always be times when you come across someone who is careless. So when you get in an accident, it is important to understand when you may be able to claim compensation with the help of St Louis pedestrian accident lawyers.