No matter what kind of car you drive or how long you have been driving, at some point, everyone is a pedestrian — and a pedestrian is killed about every two hours and is hurt every eight minutes in car accidents, according to 2013 statistics.
In response, the Department of Transportation, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Federal Highway Administration have launched the “Everyone is a Pedestrian” campaign. Locally in Dallas, the statewide campaign to urge more drivers and pedestrians to be aware is called “Drive Friendly. Drive Safe.”
When you think of car accidents in Dallas or the need for a car accident attorney like Kirkendall Dwyer LLP, you may only consider vehicle-on-vehicle wrecks. But while overall the car accidents have been declining, there were more pedestrians killed in car wrecks in 2011, with a total of 4,432 deaths. In 2012, there were 2,962 serious injuries and 481 fatalities in Texas alone.
A few tips to keep in mind for pedestrians who are navigating the streets:
- Always look both ways before you cross the street and use the crosswalk with the correct traffic light.
- Take special care when you are crossing the street in the dark; drivers just may not see you.
- Don’t assume that a driver can see you and pay special attention to drivers making right-hand turns.
- Look out for pedestrians and bicyclists and make sure you stop your vehicle behind the crosswalk.
- Decrease your speed in work zones and keep an eye out for construction detours.
- Never drive in a bike lane.
- Pay attention and slow down if road conditions call for it.
The safety of pedestrians is a topic we should all be concerned with. After all, we all have to get out of our cars at some point.