Walking while drunk is the culprit behind a third of the accidents.
Over the past decade, the number of fatal pedestrian accidents has steadily increased. These numbers have surprised experts, who would have expected technological advances in cars and awareness campaigns about safe driving to have resulted in lower numbers of pedestrian accidents. Yet according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the number of people killed in pedestrian traffic accidents has sharply risen — by 27 percent — while other U.S. traffic deaths have actually dropped.
According to a recent report, one reason for this increase is that more pedestrians are walking while drunk. The NHTSA reported that in 2016, one-third of all pedestrians killed in crashes were over the legal limit of .08 percent blood alcohol concentration (BAC). That means that in 2016 alone, almost 2,000 people were killed by cars when they were “walking while drunk” — a number that has increased by over 200 people since 2014.
These numbers are significant, because intoxicated pedestrians are an issue that has not been tackled by public safety campaigns. While state and local governments have taken any number of steps to address drunk driving, such as increasing penalties and running ad campaigns, they have not done the same for drunk walking. As many people know, being drunk can impair a person’s judgement, leading them to make poor decisions and engage in risky behavior, such as crossing the intersection when it isn’t safe to do so. Alcohol also decreases a person’s reaction time and may increase impulsive behavior.
Of course, there are other factors that lead to pedestrian accidents, such as distracted driving, drunk drivers, and other types of driver negligence. Yet the NHTSA data shows that if alcohol impairment is a factor in a pedestrian impairment, it is more likely to be a pedestrian that is drunk than a driver. These accidents often happen late at night, on busy roadways, and near lower cost motels and fast food restaurants.
These numbers are frightening, but as both pedestrians and drivers, there are things that we can do to avoid pedestrian accidents. Perhaps most importantly, we should exercise caution if we plan on drinking. Never drink and drive, and if you are walking, make sure that you have a plan for how to get home safely in advance. It can be hard to make good decisions once you are already intoxicated, so deciding ahead of time to get an Uber or a Lyft can mean the difference between life and death.
For drivers, understanding this issue can help you avoid accidents. According to a personal injury attorney, most pedestrian accidents involving an intoxicated walker happen at night. Be extra cautious at night, particularly around bars and areas where people might go after a bar, such as fast food restaurants. Drive under the speed limit, and watch for people who might be along the sides of the road. It may be hard to predict someone crossing the road if they are intoxicated, so pay close attention while you are behind the wheel.
Of course, not all pedestrian accidents are caused by “walking while drunk.” Two-thirds of pedestrian accidents do not involve an intoxicated walker, and may be the result of driver negligence. In those situations, a skilled personal injury attorney can work with the injured pedestrian to get the compensation that he or she deserves.
Recovering from an accident can be difficult, both physically and emotionally. A seasoned personal injury attorney can help, by removing the stress of having to go through the process alone. At PLBH, we are true advocates for our clients. With more than 50 years of experience, we work hard to achieve justice for you. Contact us today at (800) 435-7542 or info@plblaw.com to schedule an initial consultation.