Sacramento Pedestrian Trauma
Sacramento Pedestrian Trauma – The number of pedestrian fatalities in 2017 was twice the number of those the year before. Despite police targeting both walkers crossing the street illegally and negligent drivers, the numbers have continued to climb around the city and county. Traffic Safety Facts, compiled by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported in 2016 that pedestrian trauma occurs once every hour and a half throughout the year. Despite the efforts to increase pedestrian protections through the use of improved crosswalks and driver education, this revelation means that more must be done to improve safety for those who walk.
How Drivers Can Reduce Pedestrian Trauma
Pedestrians can use more caution while walking, particularly when crossing streets. However, there are a number of things that drivers can do to help avoid accidents with pedestrians. Some of the ways include:
- Always stay alert to your surroundings, and keep an eye out for pedestrians. Some walkers cross streets in areas where there are no crosswalks. Although this is illegal, motorists should still be on guard to avoid an accident.
- Yield to a pedestrian in the crosswalk, even though they may be crossing against the light. Trying to drive behind or in front of them is dangerous for everyone concerned and a significant cause of pedestrian trauma.
- Focusing on traffic, whether motorized or on foot, is important. Avoid distractions such as texting or talking on a cell phone, chatting with passengers and eating or drinking in the car. Even a momentary distraction can result in pedestrian injuries or deaths.
- If another motorist is stopped at a crosswalk, hold back and do not pass that vehicle. There may be a pedestrian in the process of crossing the street that is unseen by you.
- Use extra caution in bad weather or on poorly lit streets. It is not only harder to see a walker in these kinds of conditions, it is more difficult for them to see you.
- Avoid drinking and driving or using drugs while behind the wheel of a motor vehicle. These substances can affect your reaction time, judgment and vision.
- Reduce speed when nearing a crosswalk, even if you don’t see anyone waiting to cross. The speed of your vehicle has an enormous impact on the degree of injury the pedestrian will face.
- Be more careful when passing areas where people can gather such as churches, schools, and shopping locations. Failure to do this can result in multiple instances of Sacramento pedestrian trauma.
- Don’t pull your vehicle too close to the crosswalk. This way, other drivers will have a better view of walkers crossing or getting ready to cross.
Pedestrian Safety
There are also things that a walker can do to help reduce pedestrian trauma. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the following steps can help walkers avoid being injured or killed:
- Jaywalking is dangerous so don’t do it. If you want to cross the street, always use an intersection or designated crosswalk. If there is no crosswalk at the intersection, use extra caution when crossing. Remember what children are told – look left, right and left again before crossing.
- Don’t be a distracted walker. Listening to music, chatting on a cell phone or texting is just as much a distraction to a pedestrian as it is to a motorist. Be engaged with your environment to avoid any instances of pedestrian trauma.
- If you have been drinking, see about getting a ride or stay home until the alcohol has worn off. It isn’t unusual for a pedestrian who has been struck by a car to have alcohol or drugs in their system.
- Stay on the sidewalk whenever possible. If there is no sidewalk, stay on the shoulder facing traffic.
- When walking after dark, increase your visibility by wearing light-colored clothing, carrying a flashlight and using reflective strips, so drivers can see you.
Watch YouTube Video: See! Be Seen! Pedestrian Safety. This short video highlights the importance of both drivers and pedestrians paying attention while out and about.
Sacramento Pedestrian Accident Lawyers
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento pedestrian accident lawyer. If you have been injured in a pedestrian accident, you need the insight of an experienced attorney. Give me a call at (916) 921-6400 for free and friendly advice. If you are outside of the area, use my toll-free line at (800) 404-5400. You can also contact me online.
I’ve assisted numerous Sacramento residents and their families to obtain the compensation they deserve in a variety of motor vehicle accidents, traumatic injuries, and wrongful deaths.
I am a California member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum. We are a group of lawyers nationally who have won over $1 million for a client.
When you need a lawyer, you should learn as much as you can about their practice. Learn about mine on the following pages:
Sacramento Pedestrian Trauma: AutoAccident.com
Photo Attribution: Depositphotos_19666537_l-2015 / Sacramento Pedestrian Trauma.
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