A nice walk in Pennsylvania could turn into a tragedy when a pedestrian gets hit by a car. Such accidents might not only occur when crossing the street, as collisions in parking lots or driveways happen as well. Recent statistics about pedestrian accidents could frighten people who like to walk or jog. The data reveals the significant dangers a pedestrian might face.
Pedestrian accident figures raise alarms
An interesting source for pedestrian death statistics comes from the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA). The GHSA examined accident data and discovered the shocking news that 2020 saw the most significant increase in pedestrian fatalities on record. 2020 saw a 21% increase in cars striking and killing pedestrians from the previous year.
The GSHA report could raise the public’s consciousness about the dangers pedestrians often face. Reckless and negligent behaviors by drivers present a public safety threat that could be challenging to address.
Issues that contribute to accidents
Several reasons contribute to the unfortunate number of pedestrian accidents. Poor infrastructure is one, as broken sidewalks or the outright lack of sidewalks could increase the chances of pedestrian-car collisions. Governors may work with legislatures to improve infrastructure, but other accident causes may be difficult to address.
Lawmakers could pass legislation increasing penalties for distracted driving, but the threats of punitive action may not decrease dangerous behavior. Many people continue to drink and drive despite the risks and the penalties. Not surprisingly, both distracted and intoxicated drivers contribute to pedestrian injuries and fatalities.
Sometimes, a driver might not think a particular behavior is dangerous. Drinking coffee while driving or taking to the roads after ingesting drowsiness-inducing OTC capsules could prove far more regrettable than someone realizes. Full realization might not come until sitting in a courtroom facing a lawsuit.
