Pedestrian Safety Targeted in California
I’m Ed Smith, a Natomas personal injury lawyer. Pedestrian deaths nationwide went up in 2016 by 11 percent with about 6,000 fatalities. The good news is that the death rate for pedestrians dropped in California. This positive trend can still use a lot of improvement as more people use foot power and bicycles for enjoyment and to get to work.
California Pedestrian Fatalities
The Governors Highway Safety Association released an early report on pedestrian fatalities in each state for 2016. It only includes numbers for the first six months. According to the report, the final statistics for pedestrian deaths nationwide in 2016 might be the highest number seen in the past 20 years. In 2015, California showed 405 pedestrian deaths between January and June. In 2016, the death rate was 359, an impressive decrease of 11.4 percent. However, because this data is preliminary, the GHSA cautions that the numbers might change with the final tally. According to the California Office of Traffic Safety, Sacramento County showed 535 pedestrian accident injuries and fatalities in 2014. This is the latest year for which statistics are available. Seventy one of the injuries and fatalities were to pedestrians under 15. Pedestrians who were 65 or older accounted for 55.
How California Is Addressing Pedestrian Safety
- Pedestrian Safety Month is a measure that was passed by the California state legislature. This measure mandates that every September will be designated to focus on pedestrian safety around the state.
- California collaborates with law enforcement agencies, hospitals, schools and other areas of interest to promote pedestrian safety.
- Educational materials are promoted throughout the state to improve safety for pedestrians.
- Safety equipment is provided for crossing guards, and reflective bands for arms and legs are provided for their use.
- Safety assessments are provided free of charge to communities with a high rate of pedestrian accidents.
- Law enforcement agencies target problem areas for pedestrians.
The Risk of Injuries to Pedestrians Increases With Speed
The AAA Foundation sponsored a study on the relationship of a driver’s speed and injury to a pedestrian. The result was the risk was proportional to the vehicle’s speed at impact. For example, pedestrians face a 10-percent risk of injury if the driver is going at about 16 mph. Increase the speed to 31 mph, and the walker faces a 51-percent risk of significant injury. That risk reaches 90 percent if the vehicle is moving 46 mph.
Experienced Personal Injury Lawyer in Natomas
I’m Ed Smith, a Natomas personal injury lawyer. The collision of a motor vehicle with a pedestrian can have disastrous consequences. If you were involved in a pedestrian accident or lost a loved one, please phone or call (800) 404-5400. My free, friendly advice is a phone call away. If you prefer, use our convenient contact form at my site, AutoAccident.com.
For more than 35 years, I’ve helped residents of Natomas and Northern California as a dedicated injury lawyer to obtain fair compensation for their accident injuries. My practice includes many types of personal injuries like auto accidents, motorcycle accidents, dog bites and wrongful deaths.
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Photo Attribution: https://pixabay.com/en/crossing-street-zebra-city-road-801713/
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