The number rose 46% from 2009 to 2016.
In recent years, our vehicles have gotten safer, with more features designed to help us be better drivers, such as cameras to help us see behind us when we drive and sensors that can help us brake faster when objects are in the road in front of us. Yet despite all of these advances, pedestrian deaths have actually increased in the past 7 years, reaching their highest point in nearly 30 years.
These numbers come from a study from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). According to the report, nearly 6,000 pedestrians were killed in 2016. That is a 46 percent increase from 2009, and the highest number of pedestrian deaths since 1990. It also is a much sharper increase in fatalities than for traffic deaths, which rose by just 11 percent over the same period.
The study found that the majority of these pedestrian deaths occurred in the evening and early morning, when it was dark. They largely occurred on arterial roads that were designed to funnel urban or suburban traffic onto highways, where there are either no intersections or badly-designed crosswalks. Many of the accidents involved either SUVs or automobiles with lots of horsepower. According to IIHS, this suggests that many of the collisions involved excess speed. In sum, IIHS concluded that improvements in road design, vehicle design and lighting as well as speed limit enforcement could play a role in reducing pedestrian deaths.
While most individuals cannot control how the roads and crosswalks are designed in their towns and cities, they CAN take action to help prevent pedestrian deaths. According to a personal injury attorney, the first course of action that all drivers should take is to slow down. Simply reducing your speed can help you be more aware of people, animals and objects that may be in or alongside the road.
Next, drivers should check their headlights. Many vehicles have daytime running lights, but these are not a substitute for headlights when it is dark outside. Even if your headlights are on, they may not be adequate. Be sure to check their adjustment, and consider changing bulbs to a brighter type to get the best possible illumination.
For pedestrians, the best way to avoid being hit by a vehicle is to avoid areas where you are at greater risk of being hit by a car — and to improve your chances of being seen by drivers. Avoid walking along dark roads, and wear bright, reflective colors whenever possible. These steps will make it less likely that you will be struck.
If you have been injured in a car accident, a skilled personal injury attorney can help. The driver may be responsible for your damages, along with other parties, including the town responsible for maintaining the road. At PLBH, we have substantial experience helping people who have been hurt in pedestrian accidents and other types of collisions. Contact us today at (800) 435-7542 or info@plblaw.com to schedule a free initial consultation with a personal injury attorney.