Pedestrians are unprotected and vulnerable to severe injuries when hit by a 4,000 lb. motor vehicle.
How Do Pedestrian Accidents Happen?
When drivers hit pedestrians, it is often due to driver negligence or unsafe road conditions. The following are common causes of pedestrian accidents:
- Distracted driving: Drivers who are distracted by cell phones, GPS, or other in-car technologies, or by anything that diverts attention away from driving, are less likely to notice pedestrians walking near roadways or crossing streets.
- DUI: Driving under the influence increases the risk of all types of traffic accidents. Alcohol and drug impairment can significantly affect a driver’s reaction time, judgment, and coordination.
- Speeding: As stated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), speeding puts everyone on the road in danger, including pedestrians. It increases the time a driver needs to stop to avoid a crash and increases the severity of impact in a collision involving a pedestrian.
- Running red lights or stop signs: When drivers disregard red lights and stop signs, it puts pedestrians crossing at intersections directly in the path of oncoming vehicles. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), 1,149 people were killed in traffic crashes that involved red light running in a recent year. Half of those victims were pedestrians, bicyclists, and occupants of other vehicles hit by red light runners.
- Failure to yield the right-of-way: Texas law requires drivers to stop and yield to pedestrians, cyclists, and other vulnerable road users in crosswalks. When they fail to do so, it can result in a deadly collision.
- Unsafe road conditions: Poorly marked crosswalks, lack of pedestrian signals, and inadequate lighting can increase the risk of pedestrian injury.
