It’s hard to see something as simple as walking down the street as potentially dangerous, but pedestrian accidents and deaths happen more often than you think.
One of the main culprits of pedestrian accidents is distraction, but drivers aren’t the only ones getting the blame. Smartphones are in the hands of every other pedestrian that you see, and many pedestrian accidents have occurred due to a distracted person walking into oncoming traffic.
Pedestrian injuries
If you think about what’s happening when 2,000-plus pounds of steel strike a person, the resulting injuries are sure to be traumatic. Here is a list of common types of injuries from pedestrian accidents:
- Soft tissue injuries
- Fractures
- Broken bones
- Spinal cord injuries
- Amputations
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Emotional trauma
Pedestrian deaths
Did you know that close to 6,000 pedestrian deaths occurred in 2017? This is the same amount of pedestrian deaths that happened in 2016. Considering 2015 and 2016 both saw pedestrian deaths rise by close to 10%, something can be said for the fact that the number of deaths did not continue to trend upward in 2017.
Avoiding pedestrian accidents
Drivers and walkers alike must put away any distraction and tune in to surroundings. One split second of distraction can prove disastrous. We can start with putting away our cell phones until we’ve reached our destinations.
For pedestrians, here are a few other measures you can take to ensure your safety.
- When crossing a street, remember: Look left, right, then left again.
- Try to make eye contact with the driver of an oncoming vehicle to be sure they see you.
- Don’t assume you’re safe, even in a crosswalk. Always be observant.
- Don’t wear headphones.
- If there is a designated crosswalk, use it.
Another way to prevent pedestrian accidents? Be a better defensive driver: read our tips on the blog.