Traffic safety affects people on the roadways, the shoulders of the road, sidewalks, and crosswalks. It does not simply concern those who are driving. Bicyclists and pedestrians are using roadways in ever increasing numbers. Accidents affect all of those who occupy the roadway including drivers, passengers, pedestrians, runners, joggers, and cyclists. As traffic increases more and more interactions are had between cars, buses, trucks, and cyclists and pedestrians.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicate that more than 150,000 pedestrians were treated in emergency rooms in 2013 for nonfatal injuries in automobile-pedestrian crashes and approximately 4,735 pedestrians were killed in these same types of accidents. Think of what that means on a daily basis with regard to these types of devastating accidents. 410 pedestrians were hurt every day in 2013 one died about every two hours.
When you consider these accidents, it is obvious that someone was at fault in nearly every one of them. If the driver was at fault, an innocent pedestrian likely suffered catastrophic injuries due to the driver’s carelessness. These accidents can be prevented and avoided if all those involved the take the time to make safety a priority.
There are ways to limit these accidents. First, there is little question that distracted driving is playing a role in the number of pedestrian collisions. Talking on the phone, texting, looking at email, checking the internet, or getting too caught up in sights along the way can all play a part in causing an accident. These are innocent activities, but on the roadway can be extremely dangerous.
It goes without saying that drunk or impaired drivers are dangerous to all of those using the roadway. An impaired drivers cannot react as quickly as a sober driver nor does he or she have the judgment of an unimpaired driver. Call a cab after your celebrations and save a life—it may be your own.
At times pedestrians are to blame for collisions. Sometimes they do not cross at a crosswalk. Sometimes they do not look for cars. Sometimes they simply step out into the street without looking either direction whether they are relying on others to see them or are simply distracted themselves. A pedestrian can cause an accident and be liable for damages.
The threat to pedestrian safety is real in Idaho and in the rest of the states in the country. If you’ve been injured in an accident, talk to a qualified lawyer about your rights.
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