Accident Factors between Pedestrians And Automobiles

When automobiles collide with pedestrians, there is always the possibility that injuries will be sustained, and possibly grave results will ensue. It is always an imperative for motorists to drive with an extra amount of caution in high-traffic areas where many pedestrians may be. This includes school zones with an abundance of children, residential neighborhoods or shopping districts where pedestrians may be crossing the street. Further, it is equally imperative that pedestrians cross the street with caution, as motorists may not always be paying attention. With the added amenities in vehicles including GPS systems, televisions and satellite radios, and the increased presence and use of cellular telephones, there is more likelihood that today’s motorists are not paying nearly enough attention while driving on the roads. Pedestrians lack the protection that a vehicle provides a person, and must therefore be extra mindful of oncoming vehicular traffic. Since it is rare for vehicles to be involved in crashes outside of the roadway, it is important for pedestrians to pay attention, as they can more easily avoid getting hit by a car through extra vigilance. However, when a pedestrian ignores things such as traffic controls, which may signal for a pedestrian to walk or not to walk across a street, then they may increase the chances of getting hit by a vehicle. Similarly, pedestrians should never attempt to cross through an intersection when a light is yellow because motorists often speed through the signal to make it before the light turns red, and may not be in a position to stop in time, in order to avoid a collision. Jaywalking, or crossing the street without the benefit of a signal, stop sign or crosswalk, may also increase the probability of getting hit by a car. Accidents may involve children who are not properly watched by parents, especially when the children quickly dart into traffic with no regard for the vehicles in the road. Again, oncoming vehicles may not have enough time to react, and a collision may be unavoidable. Another cause of collisions between vehicles and pedestrians has to do with a driver’s general disregard for things in the road, such as crosswalks, intersections or traffic signals. When drivers make the decision to speed up through a yellow caution light, or drive through a red light or stop sign, the likelihood of getting into some kind of accident is greatly increased. Though a pedestrian may have entered the roadway to cross illegally, drivers must still use caution and yield to the pedestrian to avoid a collision. Preoccupied drivers who do not pay complete attention to what is happening on the road in front of them create an increased risk of collision. Lastly, driving under the influence reduces driver awareness and reaction time, making a collision with a pedestrian a potential reality.