Preventing Pedestrian Accidents

Halloween is one week away, and October is Pedestrian Safety Month. That is probably not a coincidence. Of course, pedestrian safety is not just for Halloween or October. The simple truth is that we are all pedestrians. When you drive to Target and get out of your car to walk into the store, you are a pedestrian. When you park in a parking garage in downtown Nashville and then cross the street to go to a Predators game, you are a pedestrian. When you are out for a walk in your neighborhood, you are a pedestrian.

Unfortunately, we have some bad news for all of us. Pedestrian accidents continue to rise. In fact, pedestrian accidents are increasing faster than any other type of traffic death. Almost every hour, a pedestrian is killed in this country and more than 67,000 are injured each year. Read on to learn more about pedestrian accidents and how we can prevent them.

First, let’s examine pedestrian accident statistics a little more closely. Not surprisingly, the majority of pedestrian accidents occur at nighttime, roughly 75%. The age group with the highest number of incidences is 10 – 14 years old followed by 50 -54 years old. Notably, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends children not walk alone to school until at least age 10, so the age group at highest risk is children who are likely to be navigating streets and crosswalks alone. Alcohol was involved in 48% of pedestrian accidents, and the alcohol use was either the driver or the pedestrian.

Below are some driving tips for preventing and reacting to a pedestrian accident:

If a vehicle is stopped at a crosswalk, do not pass it. It is against the law in
Tennessee because most likely the other vehicle is stopped to allow a pedestrian to cross.
Speaking of crosswalks, did you know that every intersection in Tennessee has a crosswalk? Tennessee has marked crosswalks (the ones with painted white lines) and unmarked crosswalks and vehicles must yield to pedestrians in both marked and unmarked crosswalks.
Except in specific circumstances, pedestrians do not have to use crosswalks, but if they are not in a crosswalk, pedestrians must yield to traffic. However, this is not a free pass for drivers though because Tennessee law requires all drivers to use “due care” to avoid hitting a pedestrian.
In school zones and residential areas, be especially vigilant for young pedestrians.
Slow down. Speeding reduces your reaction time and increases your stopping distance.
Do not drive intoxicated. Your judgment, reaction time and reflexes will all be impaired.
Do not drive distracted. For years, it has been illegal in the State of Tennessee to drive while holding a cellphone. Yet, if you sit at a redlight, you can almost always observe drivers holding their cellphone while driving. Of course, cellphones are not the only distraction – putting on make-up, holding a dog in your lap, etc. are all distractions that prevent you from giving your full time and attention to safely operating your vehicle.
If conditions allow, move over to provide extra space between you and a pedestrian that you are passing.
Anyone who drives in downtown Nashville knows there are lots of pedestrians at all hours of the day and night. Be extra vigilant in pedestrian dense areas especially when turning right on red.
If you are involved in an accident with a pedestrian, Tennessee law requires you to stop. Depending upon the severity of the accident, time could be critically important in whether a pedestrian survives, so call 911 immediately. Tennessee law also requires that, in this situation, the driver also provide reasonable assistance. Depending upon the circumstances, leaving the scene of an accident can be punishable as a felony.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a pedestrian accident, we are here to help. Our award-winning injury attorneys represent accident victims on a contingency basis, which means we only get paid if we recover money for you and your family. And unlike some injury lawyers, we advance all case expenses so that you do not pay a penny out of pocket to pursue your rights. To get started, just give us a call:

Nashville: 615-669-3993

Murfreesboro: 615-867-9900

Brentwood: 615-742-4880

Toll-Free: 866-812-8787