Whether it is to get to work, run errands or visit friends, walking is an environmentally friendly activity that lets you get from point A to point B with no carbon footprint. While we may think of pedestrians as those taking a walk for exercise, in truth most people are pedestrians at any point, even if you are just crossing the street or walking through a parking lot. Unfortunately, pedestrians are highly vulnerable to injuries or fatalities if they are struck by a car.
The statistics
The statistics surrounding auto-pedestrian accidents are startling. According to the National Highway Traffic Association, in 2018 6,283 pedestrians lost their lives in motor vehicle accident in 2018. This is the most fatalities since 1990. However, there are ways motorists can avoid causing an auto-pedestrian accidents if they uphold their duty of care.
How can motorists avoid causing auto-pedestrian accidents?
There are a variety of ways motorists can avoid causing auto-pedestrian accidents. First, they must exercise pedestrian awareness. They should never assume they are along; pedestrians can be anywhere at all times. Motorists should be especially aware of pedestrians in their pedestrians when visibility is limited, such as at night or in rainy or foggy conditions.
Motorists should also take care at intersections. They should be prepared to come to a stop at crosswalks, and to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks. They should also stop their vehicles far enough behind a crosswalk that vehicles behind them also see people crossing the street. In addition, motorists must watch their speed, especially in school zones and other areas where children are present.
Learn more about pedestrian accidents in Seattle
Auto-pedestrian accidents should be avoided, but there will always be instances in which a car strikes a pedestrian. This post is for educational purposes only and does not contain legal advice. Those who want to learn more about pedestrian accidents are encouraged to explore our firm’s website for further information.