Reinforcing Crosswalk Safety
In the midst of worsening traffic fatalities, the conversation surrounding crosswalk safety for pedestrians is more relevant than ever. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 6,205 pedestrians were killed in traffic crashes in 2019, most of which were the elderly, Black and Indigenous people, and those living in low-income communities. This is further made worse by the fact that reckless driving has reached a new peak as the COVID-19 lockdown has eased.
As pedestrian deaths and injuries are expected to rise up in the coming years, it’s become more and more apparent that instilling good driving habits needs to be practiced by many, especially in the state of California. Currently, the state’s pedestrian fatality rate is 25% higher than the national average per the California Office of Traffic Safety.
The goal of this blog is to highlight the urgent need to reshape driver behavior by providing tips and solutions as well as educating our blog readers on the facts pertaining to the issue related to pedestrian fatalities.
Understanding the Risks
Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents
Poor Infrastructure and Crosswalk Design
Most places in the country are not walkable due to poor urban planning. This cultivates a car-centric culture that makes it difficult to walk to places, encouraging excessive car use. This just further exacerbates the dangers that people are exposed to in the streets, dangers that are born out of poor infrastructure and crosswalk design. These two factors lead to a heightened number of pedestrian accidents. Unfortunately, there is really not much we could do as individuals to improve city-design, which is why it’s extremely important to stay focused when you’re driving. Don’t be distracted.
Distracted Driving
Pedestrians are among the most vulnerable groups on the road, and so it is no surprise that distracted driving could often result in pedestrian accidents. Distracted driving often takes the form of texting and driving, arguably the most dangerous type. While it rightfully takes center stage in the discourse about this topic, there are other types that people need to be aware of, including (but not limited to):
- Fiddling with car radio while driving
- Rubbernecking
- Daydreaming
- Eating/Drinking
To avoid getting distracted on the road, you first need to determine what bad habits you’ve developed that deters you from focusing. Afterwards, figure out how you can reverse them. For example, if you have a tendency to text and drive, you can put your phone on DND or “Do Not Disturb.” Some people also put their phones on airplane mode to avoid seeing notifications.
Speeding and Reckless Driving
As established above, the city-planning in most urban areas —arguably all — are horrible for pedestrians. For this reason, pedestrians and drivers (most especially drivers) need to develop good driving habits or it could result in pedestrian casualties and deaths. Speeding on the road and driving recklessly, no matter what reason you may have, is not worth the catastrophic injuries and deaths you could possibly cause. Aside from speeding, reckless driving takes the form of:
- Running red lights
- Tailgating
- Aggressive driving
- Driving with mechanical problems
- Driving intoxicated or high
Vulnerable Pedestrian Groups
Pedestrians are prone to accidents on the road. Be that as it may, it’s important to acknowledge that some are more vulnerable than others. Compared to some people, able-bodied teenagers and adults are able to make snappy decisions. They have the physical wellness to protect themselves during high-risk situations. Not a lot of people have that privilege, people like:
- Children: Equipped with disadvantages like reduced height and lack of overall awareness, children are vulnerable to pedestrian accidents especially when they’re left alone.
- Senior Citizens: The elderly often possess debilitating health problems that put them at graver risk of accidents.
- Persons with Disabilities: People with disabilities may have issues with their cognitive functions and physical disabilities that may affect how they trek the sidewalk.
Safety Practices For Drivers and Pedestrians
For Pedestrians
- Staying Visible and Wearing Bright Clothing: It’s especially important for pedestrians to heed this advice if they’re walking in the evening. But in general, it’s just good practice to wear bright clothing if you want to optimize your chances of safety on these dangerous roads. It works well in terms of making you more visible to drivers.
- Using Designated Crosswalks and Pedestrian Signals: Some states, including California, have legalized jaywalking to account for the many disparities it creates across socioeconomic lines. Still, it’s good practice to still follow traffic lights as it could save you from catastrophic injuries and wrongful deaths.
- Avoiding Distractions While Walking: Like drivers, pedestrians must do their due diligence and avoid distractions when they’re on the road. A lot of pedestrians are complacent and think that distracting themselves while walking is a low-risk activity. But this couldn’t be any further from the truth. Being distracted on the road shuts you off from traffic signals and any incoming traffic, which could lead you to get injured. Or worse.
- Making Eye Contact with Drivers: This is an underrated advice that pedestrians don’t really bother to follow, but making eye contact with drivers could save your life. It establishes mutual awareness of each other’s presence and allows pedestrians to cross safely.
For Drivers
- Following Speed Limits and Traffic Laws: Following speed limits reduces the chances of an accident as it results in improved reaction time and gives enough leeway for the driver to stop, ultimately promoting pedestrian and cyclist safety. In addition, you will also avoid facing the brunt of the legal repercussions that come with violating traffic laws.
- Eliminating Distractions and Avoiding Phone Usage: Phone usage while driving encompasses ALL types of distracted driving: cognitive, manual, and visual. This makes it all the more dangerous. A lot of pedestrians have actually gotten injured because of a driver texting and driving, so please take care of all your phone business before going on the road.
- Being Extra Cautious in School Zones and Residential Areas: As mentioned previously, children are extremely vulnerable to injuries and deaths so as a driver, you need to be extra cautious when driving along school zones and residential areas. You may stumble upon children playing on the streets or walking to school. There’s a possibility that you won’t be able to see them as you are driving because of their size, so just exercise an extreme amount of caution especially when driving through those areas.
- Checking Mirrors and Blind Spots Before Turning: Driving as it is is stressful, and because drivers are mostly concerned about other drivers on the road, they forget about the pedestrians on the road. So before you do quick turns, make sure that you’re checking your rearview mirrors and blind spots. You never know — maybe a pedestrian is lurking around the corner.
Call Omega Law Group
But no matter how safe you are, pedestrian accidents happen nevertheless. If you or a loved one is affected by this tragedy, you need the services of a legal team who will fight relentlessly to get you the justice and compensation you deserve. You need to call Omega Law Group.
Our team of elite personal injury attorneys have garnered recognition from prestigious publications such as the Los Angeles Business Journal and accolades from industry-vetted organizations SuperLawyers and many more.
The work that Omega attorneys have put in for their clients have resulted in multiple million dollar verdicts, and our past and current clients have always expressed their satisfaction with the services they have received.
If you become a future client, we have no doubt that you will be satisfied with the work that we’ll do for you as well. Schedule a free consultation with one of our award-winning attorneys now.