Auto manufacturers must comply with a lot of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards designed for the protection of the occupants inside the vehicle, but with a recent new proposal they may soon have to also design and manufacture vehicles that protect individuals outside the vehicle – bicyclists and pedestrians. The reason for the new proposal by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is that cyclist and pedestrian deaths continue to increase alarmingly, up more than 75% since 2009. A pedestrian is killed roughly every hour in this country and more than 60,000 are injured each year. And, there are a lot of near misses. In Tennessee, 1 in 4 drivers say they have almost hit a pedestrian.
Safety experts believe that a vehicle’s design plays an important role in whether a pedestrian or cyclist survives an accident. Vehicles with blunt profiles and higher front ends are simply more deadly according to the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety. In fact, vehicles with those features are 45% more likely to cause fatalities in crashes with pedestrians than other vehicles. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration intends for their proposal to establish new test procedures that can simulate a head-to-hood impact which would then allow the agency to establish performance requirements for the minimization of head injuries.
Of course, the best way to survive a vehicle vs. pedestrian/bicycle accident is to not have one at all. State and federal governments are studying other alternatives such as better urban planning to include more sidewalks, better lighting and crosswalks, etc. Most importantly, drivers can take plenty of steps to avoid a pedestrian accident, including:
- Slow down. Speed continues to play a pivotal role in all types of car accidents. It really is quite simple: the faster you go the less time you have to react and stop or otherwise avoid an accident.
- Avoid distractions while driving, whether it is your phone, a navigational device, eating, a dog, etc.
- Be extra cautious in residential areas, school zones or college campuses and high pedestrian-traffic areas like downtown Nashville.
- Do not drive if you have consumed too much alcohol or if you are on any type of medicine that impairs your ability to drive safely.
- Do not drive when you are overly emotional or tired.
- Do not overtake a car that has stopped in front of a crosswalk as a pedestrian may be crossing.
- Be mindful of children entering and exiting school buses.
- In parking lots, remind yourself to be on the lookout for pedestrians while searching for an open parking spot and be extra vigilant when backing up.
At the Law Offices of John Day, our award-winning lawyers have seen the devastation caused by pedestrian accidents. We know the physical, emotional and financial toll that results. If you have questions about a potential case, we offer a free consultation so that you do not have to pay a penny to understand your legal rights and options. If we think we can help and you decide to hire us, we will pursue your case on a contingency basis meaning we only get paid if we win and we advance all the case expenses so you do not have to pay anything out-of-pocket. To talk to a member of our team, give us a call at one of our three convenient Middle Tennessee locations:
Nashville: 615-669-3993
Murfreesboro: 615-867-9900
Brentwood: 615-742-4880
Toll-Free: 866-812-8787