In the age of safer vehicles that has us moving closer and closer to semi-automatic vehicles, it would be easy to assume that traffic deaths would decrease. A new report, however, reveals a trend in the opposite direction – particularly when it concerns pedestrians.
The stunning report confirms that the number of pedestrians killed in traffic has jumped by 11% from the previous year.
What’s going on? We’ll talk about it in this issue.
Released by the Governors Highway Safety Association, the report confirms the 11% jump in pedestrian deaths – the biggest increase ever in pedestrian fatalities over the course of one year.
In 2016, there were an estimated 5,997 pedestrian fatalities. In 2015, there were 5,376; in 2014, there were 4,910.
Authors of the study say there are a host of possible factors that could be contributing to the uptick in pedestrian traffic deaths.
Among them are:
What we’re essentially talking about is distracted driving and walking. Currently, most states – including Alaska – have laws against drivers texting while behind the wheel.
In early August, Honolulu became the first major U.S. city to ban pedestrians from using cellphones and other devices while crossing the street.
The increasing number of people out and about on our roadways and sidewalks and their insistence on reaching their destinations at breakneck speed has made our roads even more dangerous.
If you are injured by someone else’s negligence, get in touch with us here at Barber & Associates.
The first meeting is always free, so call us at 907-276-5858 o