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Good news: pedestrian fatality rate drops sixteen percent in ten years

Pedestrian safety campaigns work. Both car drivers and pedestrians in Colorado and elsewhere have been at the receiving end of numerous awareness campaigns to reduce car-pedestrian crashes. Investment in infrastructure, better surveillance and the use of reflective safety jackets have helped, too. The number of pedestrian fatalities in the USA dropped from 5,228 in 1998 to 4,378 in 2008, a 16 percent drop.

Most fatalities in 2008 occurred:

•  in urban areas (72%)
•  at non-intersection locations (76%)
•  in normal weather conditions (89%)
•  with either the driver or the pedestrian (in most cases) under the influence of alcohol (48%)
•  at night (70%).

Interestingly more than two-thirds of the victims were male, men or boys having twice the fatality rate of women or girls.

In a state-by-state comparison, Colorado does well with a pedestrian fatality rate per 100,000 population at 0.89, significantly lower than the U.S. average of 1.44.

Pedestrians in El Paso, Denver and Douglas counties should not lower their guard, as too many people are still fatally or seriously injured (69,000 people per year) when hit by cars or other vehicles.

Important safety reminders for Colorado pedestrians:

•  drivers are required to yield to pedestrians on crosswalks, pedestrians yield to cars everywhere else;
•  pedestrians need to be very careful at intersections, especially when cars are allowed to turn into their path;
•  always look left-right-left before crossing;
•  wear a reflective safety jacket in fog, heavy rain or darkness;
•  stay on the sidewalks and use the crosswalks even if it means a longer walk. Walking is healthy. Where there is no sidewalk, always walk facing traffic which means on the left side on a two-way road.

If you or a loved one has been hit by a vehicle while walking, call Pedestrian Accident Attorney Robert J. Anderson in Colorado Springs now at 866 254 1274 (toll-free) or 719 473 3040 (local) or send us an e-mail for a free evaluation of your case.