October is National Pedestrian Safety Awareness Month, an annual campaign by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) advocating for safer speeds, safer roads, safer people, and safer vehicles.
Both motorists and pedestrians have a role to play in keeping everyone safe on the roads, particularly motorists given vehicles can become deadly objects if all precautions are not followed.
Motorists
- Put the phone down
- Do not block sidewalks when you stop at intersections
- Never drink and drive
- Use extra caution when driving around schools, playgrounds, or small neighborhoods where children may be present
For a free legal consultation, call 877-562-0000
Pedestrians
- Follow the rules of the road – obey signs and signals
- Always walk on sidewalks when possible. If there is not a sidewalk, walk on the grass and in the direction of oncoming traffic – but stay as far away from the street as possible
- Avoid alcohol and drugs. While driving under the influence has proven extremely dangerous – walking while drunk also poses the same dangers and consequences.
- Only cross at crosswalks or intersections. Even if you have the right of way, look both ways in case of a driver not following the rules of the road.
Pedestrian Safety Facts
(per NHTSA)
- In 2020, 6,516 pedestrians were killed in the United States – 17% of all traffic-related fatalities.
- This number was 3.9% higher than in 2019, despite less vehicles on the road due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Of all motor vehicle wrecks resulting in the death of a pedestrian, 47% involved a driver under the influence of alcohol.
- Of all pedestrian fatalities, 77% occurred in the dark.
- In places where there is increased pedestrian or bicycle traffic, there is actually less risk of motor vehicle and pedestrian crashes.
- In 2010, President Barack Obama signed the Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act, designed to aid visually impaired pedestrians crossing the street.
Did you know? If driving 55mph, taking your eyes off the road for 5 seconds to send or read a brief text is the equivalent of driving the length of a football field with your eyes closed.
“We all can and must do more to make sure people feel safe when they are walking, whether it’s to work, to school or to a transit stop,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “Everyone deserves to have safer streets and more walkable communities, which is why safety is such a big part of the bipartisan infrastructure legislation now before Congress.”
We know that even the most safety-conscious can get into serious accidents, so it’s vital to stay buckled up. If you or someone you love suffered an injury in a motor vehicle accident due to someone else’s negligence, contact the experienced car wreck lawyers at Cory Watson. Call 205-858-4734 today or complete this brief survey for your 100% free case review.
Contact our personal injury lawyers today
About Cory Watson Attorneys
Cory Watson Attorneys is a nationally recognized personal injury law firm with offices in Birmingham, Alabama, and Memphis and Nashville, Tennessee. The firm has recovered more than $3 billion for clients across the country. Attorneys are frequently at the forefront of major class actions and multidistrict litigations involving dangerous pharmaceuticals and product liability and are often appointed to leadership positions in national cases. Firm practice areas include Personal Injury, Product Liability, Class Action, Asbestos, Business & Commercial Litigation, Dangerous Pharmaceuticals, Defective Medical Devices, and Environmental/Toxic Torts. To learn more, visit CoryWatson.com.
Call or text 877-562-0000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form