Speeding and Pedestrian Accidents: Dangers on the Street
There are so many hazards on the road, and yet people often forget about the dangers that pedestrians face. Thousands of pedestrians are killed each year because of negligent motorists. That is why our Oklahoma City, OK injury lawyers take pedestrian accidents so seriously.
Speeding is a major cause of many traffic collisions, and a contributing factor in many pedestrian injuries. Let’s consider some numbers on pedestrian accidents and speeding and reasons why motorists must abide by the speed limit.
Numbers on Pedestrian Accidents
According to numbers from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were 5,987 pedestrian accident fatalities in 2016. This averages out to a pedestrian being killed in America every 1.5 hours. Numbers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate roughly 129,000 pedestrian accident injuries in 2015.
It should be noted that the elderly and children were particularly vulnerable in these kinds of accidents. Pedestrians age 65 and older accounted for 19% of all pedestrian fatalities in 2015. In addition, 1 in 5 people age 15 or younger who was killed in a traffic accident was a pedestrian. These numbers should be sobering and a wake up call for extra caution by pedestrians as well as motorists.
Facts on Speeding
Speeding plays a major role in countless auto accidents each yeah. The NHTSA found that speeding caused or contributed to 10,111 deaths in 2016. That’s 27 percent of all fatalities in auto accidents.
While many people speed, it is unsafe for everyone on the road. In order to protect yourself and others, its important to avoid speeding at all costs.
Not Enough Time to Brake Safely
When motorists speed, there is not enough time for them to stop their vehicles safely. A split second can mean the difference between stopping in time and causing a pedestrians catastrophic injuries. This is why it’s so important to abide by speed limits wherever you go.
Reaction Times for Pedestrians
Not only does speeding affect a motorist’s ability to prevent an accident, it can also make a major difference for pedestrians. A pedestrian may have enough time to react to an oncoming vehicle if it is traveling at the speed limit. A vehicle that is moving too fast is much harder to avoid. Again, this split second could make all the difference.
Even More Dangerous at Night
More pedestrian accidents occur at night than during the daytime. Pedestrians may be harder to see at night, even on well-lit streets and uncrowded intersections. Motorists may be trying to get home or, worse, may have had a few drinks before getting behind the wheel.
This is why drivers must exercise greater caution when driving at night, not exceeding the speed limit and being mindful of their surroundings at all times. Pedestrians can also help prevent accidents by wearing light-colored clothing. Reflective surfaces can also be helpful in ensuring a pedestrian is seen.
Contact the Tawwater Law Firm
For more information about your legal rights and options following a pedestrian accident, be sure to contact our team of personal injury attorneys. The lawyers at the Tawwater Law Firm are here to help you in your time of legal need.
