| When we think of car accidents and other motor | | | | systems to keep them apart, we keep pedestrians |
| vehicle accidents, we tend to think only of the | | | | safer. |
| vehicles involved in the accidents. However, in 2008, | | | | - Increase the visibility of pedestrians. |
| the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | | | | - Reduce vehicle speeds in areas where there are |
| reports that 69,000 pedestrians were hurt in motor | | | | likely to be pedestrians. |
| vehicle accidents and 4,378 pedestrians died in those | | | | In one example of better road design, safety has |
| accidents. Pedestrian deaths accounted for 12 | | | | improve thanks to structural changes at the |
| percent of all motor vehicle crash deaths. | | | | intersection of 9th Avenue and 23rd Street in New |
| I have represented many pedestrians who have | | | | York City, near the Penn South housing complex with |
| been hit by cars or trucks. I have been successful in | | | | many elderly residents. The New York City Council is |
| winning compensation for the injuries my clients have | | | | working with the AARP to make other street |
| suffered. The drivers were at fault and we rightfully | | | | improvements that will enhance pedestrian |
| held them accountable for injuring my clients. | | | | safety. You can read more at Streetsblog. |
| Nonetheless, each of those clients would have | | | | Better Traffic Enforcement Can Save Pedestrian |
| preferred that the accident never occurred. As | | | | Lives |
| pedestrians and drivers, we can all take steps to | | | | Traffic enforcement can make a difference in two |
| improve pedestrian safety. | | | | key ways. Vehicles that abide by speed limits are less |
| Risk Factors and Pedestrian Accidents | | | | likely to be involved in a pedestrian accident or any |
| Studies reveal several facts about pedestrians hurt in | | | | other type of motor vehicle accident. More |
| motor vehicle accidents: | | | | importantly, enforcing traffic rules at intersections and |
| - According to the National Highway Traffic Safety | | | | crosswalks will save lives, particularly lives of the |
| Administration, 72 percent of all pedestrian fatalities | | | | elderly who tend to cross more slowly. We do not |
| occur in urban areas. This finding makes sense since | | | | need new laws much as we need to ticket cars that |
| there are more pedestrians in these areas. Last year | | | | block or illegally enter crosswalks, run red lights or roll |
| (2009) was a bad year for pedestrian fatalities in | | | | through stop signs. |
| New York City. While overall traffic fatalities | | | | Better Education and Making Better Choices |
| decreased to 256 deaths, the lowest ever recorded, | | | | The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety issued a |
| pedestrian fatalities increased from 151 to 155. | | | | 2002 report that claimed, "Pedestrians were more |
| - In 38 percent of pedestrian deaths, the pedestrian | | | | likely than drivers to be judged at fault in these |
| had a blood alcohol count (BAC) of .08 or higher, | | | | collisions (50 percent versus 39 percent with the |
| meaning that 38 percent of victims were legally | | | | remainder being either shared or unknown fault)." |
| drunk. Just as you should never drink and drive, you | | | | Simply put, by making better choices, pedestrians can |
| should not walk in congested areas when you've | | | | reduce the chance of an accident. |
| been drinking. | | | | According to a study published in England, public |
| - Pedestrian accidents are most likely to occur from 6 | | | | education programs have little effect with |
| p.m. to midnight, meaning at dusk or night. Friday and | | | | pedestrians, except for children. Children benefit from |
| Saturday nights see more pedestrian accidents than | | | | programs that stress crossing at the corner, looking |
| any other time. | | | | both ways and using caution around cars. Education |
| - The majority of pedestrian fatalities occur at | | | | programs for children have reduced pedestrian |
| locations other than intersections. These | | | | fatalities. |
| non-intersection fatalities tend to occur either on | | | | For the rest of us, we should follow a few simple |
| highways or interstates or in non-crosswalk areas | | | | rules: |
| where pedestrians may walk into the road at a | | | | - Don't drink and walk. |
| location where drivers do not expect to see them. | | | | - Cross at the corner, not in the middle of the road. |
| - Elderly residents are particularly vulnerable to | | | | - Use sidewalks whenever possible. |
| pedestrian accidents and fatalities. The New York | | | | - When walking on the side of the road, face traffic |
| Post found that "although people from 60 to 75 | | | | and stay as far out of the traffic lane as possible. |
| make up just 17 percent of the population in New | | | | - If stuck on an Interstate or freeway, pull as far off |
| York City, Westchester County, and Long Island, | | | | the road as possible and stay in your car. Use a cell |
| they account for 42 percent of pedestrian fatalities." | | | | phone to call for help or put a white handkerchief on |
| The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | | | | your door handle. If you decide to walk along the |
| reports that in 2008, the pedestrian death rate | | | | highway – where cars travel at tremendous |
| among those 70 and older was 22 per million people, | | | | speeds and do not expect to see a pedestrian – |
| 61 percent higher than the death rate for those | | | | you are dramatically increasing your chances of being |
| younger than 70. | | | | hit by a car. |
| Improving Pedestrian Safety | | | | - If possible, avoid walking during dusk or after dark. |
| The statistics suggest ways to reduce pedestrian | | | | - Do all you can to make yourself visible. If you must |
| accidents: | | | | walk at dusk or in the dark, wear reflective materials, |
| - Better road design | | | | carry a flashlight and try to walk in well-lit areas. |
| - Better traffic enforcement | | | | When I go walking or running, I wear a reflective |
| - Better decision-making by pedestrians | | | | vest and carry a tiny flashlight. |
| The Federal Highway Administration has established a | | | | Always give cars the benefit of the doubt. The |
| focused plan to reduce pedestrian fatalities in select | | | | driver may be wrong, but if that car hits you, you will |
| areas, including New York State and New York City. | | | | lose. If we are out walking, we need to do all we can |
| You can read more of their plan here. The American | | | | to ensure our safety. |
| Association of Retired People (AARP) produced a | | | | If you or a loved one suffers an injury as a |
| May 2010 study on pedestrian safety in five upstate | | | | pedestrian, you should take all steps necessary to |
| New York Counties. You can read that study here | | | | receive medical care and you should take the |
| and see how it applies to New York City, Long Island | | | | necessary steps to hold the driver accountable for |
| and Westchester. The New York Bicycling Coalition | | | | any negligence he or she may have committed. |
| issued a guide to improve pedestrian and bicycle | | | | I hope you found this information helpful. Please call |
| safety in New York. You can read that report here. | | | | me at 1-800-660-1466 or email me at if you have |
| Better Road Design Will Save Pedestrian Lives | | | | comments, questions or would like assistance with a |
| A 2003 study published in the American Journal of | | | | pedestrian accident case. |
| Public Health found three categories of road design | | | | This material is intended for informational uses only. It |
| improvements that can reduce pedestrian accidents: | | | | is not meant as legal advice. To receive legal advice, |
| - Separate pedestrians and vehicles: Pedestrians and | | | | you should consult an attorney. |
| vehicles don't mix. By creating structures and | | | | |