Pedestrians walking or jogging on public roads are vulnerable. They have nothing to physically protect them if a crash occurs. Additionally, their small size, when compared with a vehicle, makes them easy for drivers to overlook. Pedestrian crashes can cause life-altering injuries or premature mortality. It is important for pedestrians to make safety a priority whenever they are on public roads or need to cross the road.
What specific risk factors may increase the likelihood of a pedestrian getting hurt in traffic?
1. The location where they cross
When looking at pedestrian collision statistics, certain trends start to emerge. For example, the vast majority of pedestrian crashes do not occur at intersections. Even though many pedestrians only cross at marked locations, more than 75% of all reported fatal pedestrian crashes occur at locations other than intersections. Even if it adds to the overall time on the road, walking up to an intersection to cross with the light at a marked location can drastically reduce the risk of a driver failing to notice a pedestrian and hitting them.
2. The time of day
People don’t always control when they need to walk somewhere. Still, trying to minimize time spent on the road after dark is likely in a pedestrian’s best interests. Many of the worst pedestrian collisions occur after the sun sets. When it is dark outside, drivers may not watch as closely for pedestrians. Even the most attentive drivers may not be able to see a pedestrian until they are dangerously close. Trying to minimize time spent on the road after dark can reduce the risk of a tragic pedestrian collision.
3. Chemical intoxication
Inebriation is a factor in a large percentage of pedestrian collisions. Frequently, the driver who hits the pedestrian is under the influence of drugs or alcohol. However, a noticeable portion of deadly pedestrian crashes involve chemically impaired pedestrians. In some cases, both the driver and the pedestrian might be under the influence at the time of the wreck. Walking home from a bar or party is undoubtedly safer than driving in an intoxicated state. Still, impaired pedestrians could step out into traffic or fail to monitor their surroundings with tragic consequences.
Understanding what contributes to pedestrian crash risk could potentially help people protect themselves. Yet, accidents may still happen, despite an individual’s best efforts. After a pedestrian crash occurs in St. Louis, Missouri, or Illinois, injured pedestrians or grieving families may need help evaluating options for compensation, and that’s okay. People may have the option of filing a car insurance claim or even a personal injury lawsuit against a driver at fault when a motorist’s negligence leads to an injurious crash.