Pedestrians jogging on the shoulders of rural roads or crossing busy urban streets are at risk. They have nothing to protect them from a collision if a driver doesn’t notice them on the road. Pedestrian crashes can be deadly or can leave people with life-altering injuries.
Pedestrians have the right to share the road with vehicles. People who walk to reduce their environmental impact, perform low-impact exercise or reach local destinations should not have to stop making use of public infrastructure out of fear that they could sustain major injuries.
Instead, they can potentially take steps to reduce their overall risk of pedestrian collisions. Learning about the factors that connect many serious pedestrian collisions can help people prioritize their safety before heading out for a jog or walking to the corner store for the last ingredient that they need for dinner.
What factors have a strong correlation with increased risk of pedestrian crashes?
1. Higher speed limits
Statistically, more pedestrian collisions occur on urban roads than on rural roads. However, the higher speed limits on rural roads make severe crashes more likely. At speeds of 55 mph or greater, pedestrians struck by vehicles are far more likely to die or sustain life-altering injuries than those struck at the lower speeds associated with residential neighborhoods in urban settings. Planning routes that minimize time spent on roads with higher speed limits could potentially save a pedestrian’s life.
2. Alcohol intoxication
Federal pedestrian crash statistics reveal an alarming trend. A large portion of these crashes involve a pedestrian who has had too much to drink. Other times, the driver who hits a pedestrian may be over the legal limit for their blood alcohol concentration (BAC).
Sometimes, both parties have elevated alcohol levels. While it may be illegal to drive after drinking large quantities of alcoholic beverages, it is markedly unsafe to walk on busy streets after drinking. Pedestrians may need to make informed decisions about how much they consume and how they get home afterward.
3. Visibility issues
Frequently, drivers who hit pedestrians claim that they didn’t see them. This may be in part due to how small pedestrians are compared to vehicles. It could also be the result of a driver’s distraction. Those focused on their phones may not notice pedestrians until it is too late for them to stop. Crossing at unexpected locations can also increase risk. Drivers may not notice pedestrians when they don’t actively watch for them.
After car-pedestrian collisions occur, the people involved may require assistance as they seek to hold the driver at fault accountable. Avoiding an incident by learning about risk factors is ideal, but taking appropriate action after a crash can help people minimize the long-term losses they sustain.