America has undoubtedly worked hard on its road network. Drivers in the US get to benefit from the largest road network spanning 6.5 million km of highways, streets, and byways. Even so, it is bad news that the US does not have the highest road quality rating. It does not even make it to the top ten in this regard.
Given how important city planning and quality road infrastructure are, there will naturally be consequences when both are neglected. One major threat US roads pose is for those who enjoy walking or pedestrians.
Despite forming the most important constituent of the roads, pedestrians are at the highest risk of accidents. In general, vehicle accident-related death numbers fell by 3.6% in 2023, but the same cannot be said of pedestrian safety.
Does this mean our roads are safe until someone’s walking? In this article, we will discuss pedestrian deaths on American roads, accident-related course of action, and safety tips.
Table of Contents
The Complicated Danger of Walking
We live in a day and age where people understand the importance of walking and biking across their neighborhoods. Studies have even found that households located in walkable communities enjoy a higher quality of life.
This is precisely where the idea of developing bikeable and walkable cities comes from. Some of the most walkable cities in the US currently are New York, Chicago, Boston, and Seattle. Among the least walkable cities include Miami, St. Louis, and Orlando.
One may rest assured at least in the most walking-friendly cities that they could be safer for pedestrians. That is not the true story for those walking across communities in the least walkable cities. Let’s take the example of St. Louis which has received the title of the most dangerous US city in terms of crime rates, natural disasters, and road accidents.
In 2023, over 600 people across St. Louis city and county were killed or injured while walking/biking. It was later reported that at least 28 pedestrians met their fate on the city’s roads.
Last year was the deadliest in terms of pedestrian safety when compared to years prior. Are the drivers becoming increasingly reckless or are the city’s roads designed poorly? Some very crucial questions need to be answered.
Main Reasons for Pedestrian Accidents and the Aftermath
Any type of road accident involves physical injuries, mental trauma, emotional suffering, and more. What’s important is to get to the root of the matter so that the sad numbers can be reduced.
Here are some of the most common reasons pedestrians may get hit by a speeding vehicle. Let’s list them down in detail.
- Lane splitting or white lining is when a motorcyclist or bicycle rider goes back and forth between multiple lanes.
- Driver distraction or a lack of attention due to attending phone calls, eating, listening to loud music, etc.
- Poor road conditions, which may include obscure or a lack of signage, potholes, uneven pavements, and insufficient lighting.
- A failure to yield the right of way happens when a vehicle does not allow another to go ahead, especially at intersections
- Poor visibility due to inadequate road lighting or weather disturbances
- Driving in a state of intoxication
- Running into the road suddenly, especially when there is no crossway for the same
No matter the cause of a particular pedestrian accident, the aftermath can be gruesome. If the accident occurs due to a larger vehicle like an SUV, the chances of fatality increase. Even if the pedestrian gets hit by a two-wheeler, they may incur serious injuries depending on the vehicle’s speed and force of impact.
Moreover, some cities like St. Louis from our former example are logistics hubs. These carry the added risk of extremely large commercial trucks and semi-trucks frequenting their lanes. Even if a pedestrian manages to escape death by a thread’s width, the sheer weight and force of the vehicle would cause life-altering injuries.
The victim can pursue legal justice with the help of a St. Louis personal injury lawyer. The aftermath and legal recourse would include damages incurred in the form of bodily injuries, mental trauma, emotional suffering, lost wages, medical expenses, and so on. Spouses of the injured pedestrian may even be eligible for a loss of consortium compensation.
Tips to Tighten Road Safety
Pedestrian safety is a multi-faceted issue that will require equally varied solutions. City officials, drivers, and pedestrians themselves must all work hand in hand to make America’s roads safer even while walking. Let’s look at how pedestrian safety can be improved.
- City infrastructure can be changed to narrow down roadways for shorter crossing distances. This will also help slow down traffic.
- Drivers must take personal responsibility to stick to their lanes, follow road regulations, and avoid driving under the influence of alcohol.
- All manner of distractions on the road must be avoided, including phone calls. In case of an emergency, the driver must stop their vehicle in a safe corner to attend the call.
- Road planning must prioritize pedestrian and bicyclist safety by including lanes exclusively dedicated to the two groups.
- Implementing raised crosswalks is another way to make it safer for pedestrians to cross the streets.
- Pedestrians must practice road awareness, follow traffic signals, and cross a lane only at a designated crosswalk.
This article’s topic of discussion postulates the fact that America’s roads are currently a playground for Russian roulette for pedestrians. It’s a shame that a carefree person on foot must constantly live with a ‘survival of the fittest’ fear.
No one party is responsible for the current state, and no one party can eradicate the problem. When concrete steps are taken at the state and individual levels, our country will become safer for pedestrians.
