The Lombardi Law Firm Blog

Iowa's Pedestrians are always at risk of serious injury or being killed

Once again today we continue with the pedestrian-car-truck-bus-train collision news items. Today we’ll look at one additional news item that adds to our investigation into what themes or reasons (causes) as to why pedestrians get struck so much.  By analyzing how pedestrians get into accidents with motor vehicles maybe we can avoid finding ourselves in this situation.

Burlington City, New Jersey – January 2009 – Highway Route 130 in Jersey proves one thing if nothing else; building interstate highways through congested areas without pedestrian bridges is a recipe for disaster. At this particular location there are so many people being killed that the Tri-State Transportation Campaign named the entire stretch of Route 130 through Burlington County and Atlantic County’s White Horse Pike as the two most dangerous roads in New Jersey for pedestrians.

In January a 26-year-old man was struck and killed while attempting to cross it. On December 9th a 4-year-old boy was struck and killed trying to cross at the intersection.

On Sunday of last, a 55-year-old woman was struck and killed while attempting to cross this highway.

All told, last year alone 12 pedestrians and four bicyclists were killed in the county. Not really bragging rights I’d say.

Pedestrian Safety – Recent news stories about how dangerous situation confront pedestrians

St. James, Missouri, April 2009 – This story is brought to us by The Rolla Daily News. Although I hate to sound trite, this is another pedestrian crossing the street collision with an oncoming car or truck where for whatever reason the driver doesn’t see the pedestrian, strikes and kills him. The driver this time is 21-years-old and the pedestrian is 29-years of age.

According the newspaper,

Scheider approached Interstate 44 from the south, was successful in crossing the eastbound lane but was struck in the westbound lane by Drew, who was westbound near Hutcheson Ford.

According to the report filed Cpl. Doug Melton of the Highway Patrol, and statements taken from Drew, Scheider appeared out of the median ditch and headed into the westbound traffic.

“The driver made the call immediately to 911 and said he hit a guy,” Melton said. “The guy came out of the ditch in-between I-44 and was trying to cross the interstate.”

…

The accident occurred just before 8:53 p.m. Friday, which is when the MSHP received the call.

On Monday, Crain warned pedestrians about dangers around interstates.

“The interstates are very dangerous. With vehicles traveling 70 mph, they’re upon you very quickly,” Crain said. “And at night, with headlights in your eyes, as this accident was, your depth perception is not as good. It’s very difficult to judge the speed of the car.”

Crain warned all pedestrians, and motorists who become pedestrians, to be careful on the roadways.

That’s good advice about how difficult it is to accurately determine the speed of oncoming traffic. Pedestrian safety is about being overly cautious and not running before you are sure of distances and speed of oncoming cars and trucks. Pedestrians can not be overly cautious.