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Florida has the dubious distinction of having the highest rate of pedestrian deaths in the nation.  The most at-risk pedestrian groups for injuries or death are children ages 5-9, seniors 65 and older, and people under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Crossing the street is particularly dangerous, which is why many intersections have crosswalks. They are designed to provide a safe area for pedestrians crossing the road and to lessen the chances of jaywalking and unexpected pedestrian crossings.

Drivers are urged to slow down for crosswalks and give the right-of-way to pedestrians. If a driver is making a turn, he or she should scan the road closely before turning.

Drivers need to know where children are. “Children can be a bit oblivious when it comes to adult concepts like right-of-way and traffic laws, and they might run into the street without looking. So it's up to you, the driver, to be extra cautious in areas like school zones, parks, and playgrounds,” reminds Esurance.

According to BikeWalkCentralFlorida.org, technically, any intersection is a crosswalk, even if it is unmarked.

• All sides of the intersection are crosswalks – marked or not, regardless of whether the sidewalk is paved or not. The only exception is where a state or local government has explicitly closed a particular crosswalk, and a sign must be placed at such a crossing to indicate that it is closed.

• If you are driving along a road and there is a cross-street, you must yield to any pedestrian in an unmarked crosswalk at that intersection.

• If another vehicle is stopped ahead of you at a crosswalk, do not pass that vehicle. There may be a crossing pedestrian hidden behind that first vehicle.

Florida Statute 316.130 Pedestrians; traffic regulations say:

(7)(a) The driver of a vehicle at an intersection that has a traffic control signal in place shall stop before entering the crosswalk and remain stopped to allow a pedestrian, with a permitted signal, to cross a roadway when the pedestrian is in the crosswalk or steps into the crosswalk and is upon the half of the roadway upon which the vehicle is traveling or when the pedestrian is approaching so closely from the opposite half of the roadway as to be in danger.

(b) The driver of a vehicle at any crosswalk where signage so indicates shall stop and remain stopped to allow a pedestrian to cross a roadway when the pedestrian is in the crosswalk or steps into the crosswalk and is upon the half of the roadway upon which the vehicle is traveling or when the pedestrian is approaching so closely from the opposite half of the roadway as to be in danger.

(c) When traffic control signals are not in place or in operation and there is no signage indicating otherwise, the driver of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way, slowing down or stopping if need be to so yield, to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within a crosswalk when the pedestrian is upon the half of the roadway upon which the vehicle is traveling or when the pedestrian is approaching so closely from the opposite half of the roadway as to be in danger. Any pedestrian crossing a roadway at a point where a pedestrian tunnel or overhead pedestrian crossing has been provided shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles upon the roadway. 

“Should you or a loved one be injured because of the negligence of another, please contact Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. after seeking medical attention. There are no costs or attorney fees unless we make a monetary recovery for you,” said Fort Myers Pedestrian Accident Attorney Randall Spivey.

Fort Myers Pedestrian Accident Attorney, Randall L. Spivey is a Board Certified Trial Attorney – the highest recognition for competence bestowed by the Florida Bar and a distinction earned by just one (1%) percent of Florida attorneys.  He has handled over 2,000 personal injury and wrongful death cases throughout Florida.  For a free and confidential consultation to discuss your legal rights, contact the Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A., in Lee County at 239.337.7483 or toll free at 1.888.477.4839,or by email to Randall@SpiveyLaw.com.  Visit SpiveyLaw.com for more information.  You can contact Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A.in Charlotte County at 941.764.7748 and in Collier County 239.793.7748.