Do you walk your dog around your neighborhood or take strolls after dinner to stretch your legs?
If you do – be careful. Walking on local roads is getting increasingly dangerous.
According to the Governors Highway Safety Association, the number of pedestrian deaths in the U.S. is now at a 28-year high.
In fact, pedestrian deaths have risen 35% since 2007.
What’s the cause of the spike?
Experts believe there are two major factors driving the increase in deaths:
- The increasing popularity of SUVs. The weight and height of these vehicles is a deadly combination for pedestrians.
- Distracted driving. Cellular devices, onboard information systems, and bad habits are combining to make drivers less focused on the environment around them. Again – a deadly brew for pedestrians.
Other contributors to the problem include drowsy drivers and intoxicated drivers. By some estimates – as many as one-in-four drivers are impaired to some degree by drugs or alcohol.
According to the Governors Highway Safety Association report, most fatal crashes take place after dark, and those nighttime fatalities are rising much faster (+45%) than deaths in the daytime (+11%).
And yes – the population of the U.S. is also rising – leading to more pedestrians and more cars and an increased likelihood of accidents.
What can drivers do to avoid these deadly occurrences? Several things:
- Don’t drive when intoxicated.
- Don’t text and drive or use a hand-held cellular device for any reason while driving.
- Don’t drive when drowsy.
- Have your vision checked regularly.
- Keep your windshield clean and your wipers in good condition.
- Drive defensively. Remember that most accidents involving pedestrians do not occur at crosswalks or intersections.
If you or a loved one are ever injured as pedestrians in Connecticut, know that the Connecticut personal injury lawyers at RisCassi & Davis have been assisting people like you who’ve been injured in accidents for over 60 years. And we have received both state and national recognition for our work in this area. If you are ever injured in an accident of any kind and would like a free consultation with one of our Connecticut personal injury lawyers, please contact us. There is no obligation.