More than half of all road traffic deaths are among vulnerable road users: pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists. A pedestrian accident is when a vehicle strikes a person who is not in a car. And as a driver of a vehicle or a pedestrian, cyclist, or motorcyclist, taking a few extra seconds to take caution and awareness of your surroundings could mean the difference between life and death. Some causes of pedestrian accidents are out of your control, but there are many ways to avoid harm. Watch out for these four leading causes of pedestrian accidents.

1. Speeding

Going over the speed limit increases the likelihood of a crash occurring and the severity of the consequences. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), every 1% increase in average speed produces a 4% increase in the fatal crash risk and a 3% increase in the serious crash risk. In addition, the death risk for pedestrians hit by car fronts rises rapidly (4.5 times, making 31 mp/h acceleration to 40 mp/h).

2. Distracted Driving

Unfortunately, distracted driving accounts for many pedestrian deaths and injuries. Drivers can become distracted while using their cellphones or GPS, adjusting the radio or temperature in the car, and tending to grab something in the backseat. Doing anything but paying attention to the road can put pedestrians at risk. Equally, pedestrians can also put themselves at risk by being distracted and on their phones or listening to loud music in headphones when walking near traffic.

The distraction caused by cell phones is a growing concern for road safety. According to WHO, drivers using cell phones are approximately four times more likely to be involved in a crash than those not using a mobile device. Using a phone while driving not only slows down reaction times but also makes it challenging to stay in the correct lane and keep the correct following distances.

3. Driving Under the Influence

Drinking alcohol and driving under the influence is just as dangerous to pedestrians as drivers. According to WHO, an estimated 30% of pedestrians killed in crashes in 2020 had a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08 percent or higher, and 16% of fatal pedestrian crashes involved a driver with a BAC of .08 percent or higher.

Punishments after getting pulled over from driving while consuming alcohol or drugs may be designated differently according to the state jurisdiction. Driving intoxicated could lead to serious offense charges like a DUI (driving under the influence), OUI (operating under the influence), or a DWI (driving while intoxicated).

4. Unsafe road infrastructure

Road design can significantly impact the safety of pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists. Ideally, roads should be designed with the safety of all road users in mind. Measures such as footpaths, cycling lanes, safe crossing points, and other traffic calming measures are critical to reducing the risk of accidents and injury among road users.

As a driver and a pedestrian, paying attention to your surroundings and avoiding other people on the road could lessen your risk of harm. At Carrillo Injury Law, we give you access to the knowledge and experience to get compensated for your injuries on the road as a driver or a pedestrian. Don’t let a personal injury stop you from moving forward. Call us at 352-371-4000 or email carrillolawoffice@gmail.com for a no-charge, no-commitment consultation.

Sources

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/what-are-the-most-common-causes-of-pedestrian-accidents-301651426.html

https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/road-traffic-injuries

https://alcohol.org/dui/