New York City is notorious for having congested traffic. For this reason, many people in New York choose to walk to work, shops and restaurants. They are pedestrians, but really, we all are pedestrians at some point, even if we are merely crossing the road or walking through a parking lot. However, pedestrians are vulnerable to being struck by a car, even if we have the right of way.
The statistics
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, fatalities in pedestrian accidents are unfortunately common. In 2018, 6,283 people lost their lives in auto-pedestrian accidents. This is the greatest amount of pedestrian traffic deaths since 1990. In 2017, every 88 minutes a pedestrian died in an auto-pedestrian accident. These sobering numbers show just how serious auto-pedestrian accidents can be.
Tips for driving safely around pedestrians
The following are some way motorists can avoid striking a pedestrian. Motorists should always be aware of pedestrians in their vicinity. This is especially true if it is difficult to see, such as nighttime or when it is rainy, snowy or foggy. Motorists should be careful not to speed, and they should slow down and be ready to stop at a safe distance from crosswalks or when making a turn. They should yield to pedestrians in crosswalks, and should avoid passing another motorist stopped at a crosswalk. As always, motorists should never drive while drunk or high. Motorists should also be careful in areas where children are present, such as school zones, playgrounds and neighborhoods. Finally, motorists should look behind them and be careful when reversing to avoid striking a pedestrian.
Learn more about auto-pedestrian accidents
Auto-pedestrian accidents can cause devastating injuries or fatalities. It is important that you understand your rights and options if you are injured in a pedestrian accident. Our firm’s webpage on pedestrian accidents as more information for those who want to learn more about this topic.
