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Pedestrian accidents can be some of the most devastating accidents that individuals and their families can experience. For Fort Myers personal injury lawyers like Randall Spivey, the aftermath of a pedestrian-motor vehicle accident can mean very serious and/or permanent disabilities or even fatalities for their clients. The chances of a pedestrian escaping injury after being hit by a motor vehicle are quite low, particularly in accidents that involve drivers who fail to notice pedestrians and end up striking them at full speed. In fact, with respect to pedestrian deaths in Florida, a 2011 study that was published by Transportation for America noted that Florida led the U.S. in the number of motor vehicle accidents that involved pedestrians and fatalities.

However, according to a recent USA Today article, the Governors Highway Safety Association noted that preliminary data reported to the federal government that compared the first six months of 2012 with the first six months of 2013 found that pedestrian deaths across the U.S. fell 8.7 percent. Statistics for the entire year of 2013 will be out later in 2014, but safety experts who were previously perplexed by the increase in pedestrian deaths during the last three years are similarly puzzled by the recent drop.

Education Programs Appear to be Working in Florida

Florida Department of Transportation statistics show that pedestrian fatalities have steadily declined since two education programs were implemented--Alert Today, Alive Tomorrow and Walk Wise. And as most Fort Myers personal injury lawyers know, one issue that typically arises with respect to pedestrian-auto accidents is attentiveness.

In an effort to keep individuals safe, Florida has added two full-time pedestrian and bicycle safety specialists to each of their district offices, as well as their central headquarters. One specialist focuses on the design and planning of streets and roadways, while the other will deal with safety programs once the new infrastructure is built. 

Staying Safe

There are a number of things that both pedestrians and drivers can do to help avoid accidents and maintain safety while traveling Florida's roadways.  For instance, one thing that drivers can do is to make certain that they obey the traffic laws, particularly those related to pedestrians. Drivers should stop or yield to pedestrians, as well as come to a complete stop before turning right on red. Pedestrians who utilize crosswalks at intersections depend on drivers to stop prior to turning so that they can safely cross the roadway.

Similarly, pedestrians should always ensure to abide by established traffic laws when sharing the road with drivers. When walking, if no sidewalks are present, pedestrians should always walk against traffic so that they can see oncoming vehicles. Additionally, pedestrians should always utilize crosswalks where present. Marked crosswalks are generally the safest place for pedestrians to cross. It is also a good idea for pedestrians to make themselves more visible to drivers by wearing reflective gear/clothing and/or bright colors.

If you or someone you love has been injured by a motor vehicle driver while walking along one of Florida's roadways, contact Randall Spivey, Fort Myers personal injury lawyer at the Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. as soon as possible.