Pedestrian Accident Causes

There are many common factors that contribute to pedestrian accidents. Negligence is the most common. Motorists have a responsibility to follow traffic laws and always pay attention and drive safely.

Some common unsafe practices by drivers include:

• Inattentive or pre-occupied drivers are potentially very dangerous for pedestrians.
• Drivers’ failure to yield the right of way to pedestrians at marked cross walks and intersections.
• Speeding is a major contributing factor in motor vehicle accidents of all types and has serious consequences when a pedestrian is involved. At higher speeds, motorists are not as likely to see a person walking and even less likely to be able to stop in time to avoid hitting them.
• Intoxicated drivers pose a high risk of injury to pedestrians, and there are many notorious cases where drunk drivers have caused accidents, striking pedestrians in streets and on sidewalks.
• Passing a School Bus – When drivers overlook or ignore the red, flashing overhead lights on a school bus, their passing of a school bus creates a high risk of injury to children who may be disembarking from the bus.

People walking also have responsibility for their own safety. Some common unsafe practices by pedestrians include:

• Inattention. Pedestrians can do a great deal to avoid being hit These accidents rarely happen outside of the roadway. Cautious pedestrians are safer and much less likely to be hit.
• Ignoring Traffic Controls – Pedestrians should never cross against a light.
• Jaywalking – crossing the street in inappropriate or unexpected locations is dangerous It is best to cross in a designated crosswalk or at an intersection.
• Children sometimes “dart” into the roadway with little regard for traffic, after a toy, pet or other child. Drivers should take particular care children are playing in a neighborhood, or when they pass a park, school, or other area which is posted as having children present.
• Pedestrians walking where they should not be. “No Pedestrians” signs are posted for a reason and should be respected.