Three tips to avoid causing a pedestrian accident

Driving in New York can be a hassle, and not everyone wants to ride the subway or take a taxi to get where they need to go. Sometimes, it is simply easier to walk to your destination. In fact, at some point in the day just about everyone is a pedestrian even if you are simply crossing the street or walking through a parking lot. However, pedestrians are vulnerable to serious injuries or even fatalities if they are hit by a car.

The scope of the problem

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2018 there were 6,283 pedestrian fatalities caused by traffic accidents in the U.S. This is the greatest number of fatalities since 1990. In 2017, on average every 88 minutes a pedestrian was killed in a traffic accident. These statistics show just how essential it is for motorists to drive safely when pedestrians are present.

Safe driving practices

The following are some safe driving practices motorists should follow to keep pedestrians safe.

• Keep an eye out for pedestrians in your vicinity all times. This is especially important at night or if it is foggy, raining or snowing.

• Take care at crosswalks. Slow down and come to a stop far enough back from the crosswalk for pedestrians to safely cross the road. It is also important to yield to pedestrians already in the crosswalk. Also, do not pass other vehicles stopped at a crosswalk as there may be a pedestrian there that you do not see.

• Drive with due care. Avoid drunk driving, drowsy driving, distracted driving and speeding. Speeding should especially be avoided in school zones or areas where children are present.

If a motorist does not drive with due care, and they strike a pedestrian, they may be held responsible for the crash.

Learn more about pedestrian accidents

Pedestrian accidents are all-too-common in New York. It is important for all motorists to drive with the safety of pedestrians in mind. This post is for informational purposes only and does not contain legal advice. To learn more about pedestrian accidents, you can visit our firm’s website for more information.