Eureka Pedestrian Safety Improvement
I’m Ed Smith, a Eureka car accident lawyer. The Humboldt County Department of Public Works recently announced that they will be partnering with the national Safe Routes to School Program in order to build new, more safe sidewalks in the neighborhood around Eureka’s Lafayette Elementary School.
Safe Routes
Safe Routes to School is a nationally funded program that aims to provide ways for communities to improve the safety of children who walk and bike to school. The program does extensive research in order to provide cities with the information they need to most effectively reduce instances of pedestrian and bicycle collisions.
County Engineer’s Statements
The Humboldt County Engineer, Angi Sirensen, will be overseeing the installation. She spoke to reporters about the new sidewalks and indicated that she expects the County of Humboldt to give residents in the area a feeling that they can walk to places they might have felt unsafe doing so before.
Sirensen also noted that the project will be focused on compliance in the American with Disabilities Act and will involve reducing cross slope to less than two percent as well as adding curb ramps where there currently are none.
Timeframe
As of August 10, 2017, construction on the project has begun. The county reportedly aims to have the project done in the area directly surrounding the school before children return from summer vacation at the beginning of September. After construction is completed there, Sirensen reported, they will continue on to Myrtle Avenue and John Hill Road.
Pedestrian Collisions in Eureka
Eureka has a relatively higher than average rate of pedestrian injury. In fact, pedestrian injuries account for more than 13 percent of all Eureka’s injuries caused by vehicle collisions. This in about 5 percent higher than the rate for the whole of Humboldt County.
Additionally, over the last four years, there have been 107 total pedestrian accidents in Eureka.
Pedestrian Injuries
Injuries sustained in pedestrian/vehicle accidents have the potential to be very serious. Pedestrians lack the protection that those in passenger vehicles have and are very vulnerable when struck by vehicles. Even vehicles that are moving at low speeds can leave pedestrians with major fractures and other serious injuries.
Pedestrians looking to avoid being hurt can take steps to avoid collisions. These steps include walking in the direction of traffic, properly using crosswalks, and wearing bright colors if walking at night. A wealth of info published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) about pedestrian safety can be read here.
Other Articles from Eureka Car Accident Lawyer, Ed Smith:
Eureka Car Accident Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Eureka car accident lawyer. Being hit by a car can be extremely traumatic. If you or somebody you know has suffered injuries in a crash, give my office a call using (707) 564-1900 to get friendly advice for free. Those outside the area code can also get in touch with me using this toll-free line: (800) 404-5400.
Residents of Eureka with personal injury and wrongful death cases have trusted me to assist them in getting fair recompense for over 35 years.
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I’m one of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum’s California attorneys. The Million Dollar Advocates’ trial lawyers have all succeeded in negotiating a settlement or winning a verdict that had more than 1 million dollars of value.
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