There is a lot in the media these days about distracted driving and how using mobile devices is often the cause of accidents. Unfortunately, the same can be said about pedestrians. More people are on their cellphone texting, talking and using apps than ever before. Some reports are citing this as a reason pedestrian accidents have gone up.
Distracted Walking
Accidents are more likely to happen when a pedestrian is absorbed in his or her cellphone instead of being aware of their surroundings. Distracted walking causes injuries in various places, including the home and away from traffic areas. However, fatalities can occur when distractions occur in or around traffic.
The Governors Highway Safety Association report of 2017 states that the number of pedestrians killed by vehicles was almost 6,000, similar to the number of pedestrian fatalities of 2016. While not all of these deaths could be attributed to distracted walking, some were. Accidents occur in intersections, parking lots, non-intersection areas and at night.
Preventing Pedestrian Accidents
Many pedestrian accidents can be avoided. Alcohol consumption is involved in nearly half the accidents between cars and pedestrians. Blood alcohol content of at least 0.08 has been determined to be a factor in at least a third of the fatal pedestrian accidents. Needless to say, sobriety is one factor in pedestrian safety.
Another factor is paying attention to where you are walking and not allowing yourself to be distracted by your cellphone. If you do use it, don’t use it when approaching traffic areas, such as intersections or parking lots. When your head is down and your attention is focused on your phone, you are vulnerable to being struck by a vehicle.
Drivers are sometimes distracted themselves. Electric vehicles may move so silently that you may not hear one coming toward you. You may be in a driver’s blind spot. Ultimately, for the most part, the pedestrian must be alert to be in control of his or her own safety.
Be Alert
Whether you are a pedestrian or a motorist, the bottom line is that you need to be alert at all times. For pedestrians, distracted walking can cause you to bump into people, trip over obstacles on the sidewalk and be a victim of a collision with a moving vehicle. Likewise, motorists also run the risk of hitting both cars and people when they are not paying attention.
Pedestrian accidents can be avoided when people take the necessary precautions to ensure their own safety and, in the case of motorists, the safety of others as well. Stay sober and stay alert. Your life may depend on it.
Michael Gasparian and the attorneys at Maison Law encourage you to practice safety in your driving and walking. We see the tragedy inflicted on families when accidents happen. As experienced lawyers in personal injury law, we invite you to schedule a complimentary consultation if you or a loved one has been hurt in an accident. We proudly service the Central Valley area near Visalia, California.
