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Throughout the United States, pedestrians face significant risk of injury on the roadways. In 2011, the Tampa Tribune warned that studies had revealed Florida to be the worst state in the country when it comes to pedestrian safety. By 2014, Florida had lost this undesirable title, but WTSP reported that Florida was still the fifth most dangerous location for walkers.

The rankings of which locations are the highest risk are determined by comparing the rate of fatalities among pedestrians per 100,000 people living in the state. In Florida, the 2014 data included in the WTSP article showed 2.46 pedestrians killed for every 100,000 people (the most dangerous state, Delaware, had 2.94 fatalities).

While Florida has improved slightly relative to other states since 2011, there is still a long way to go to reduce the risk of pedestrian injuries and fatalities in the state. Drivers and pedestrians both must do their part to make the roads safer. If drivers fail in their duties and irresponsibly cause a crash that injures or kills a pedestrian, a Ft. Myers personal injury attorney like Randall Spivey should be consulted to provide representation and advice to the victim or surviving family members. The driver who hurt the pedestrian could be held liable for monetary damages for losses.

How Can the Risk of Pedestrian Injuries and Fatalities be Reduced?

Edmunds has noted some tips for reducing the number of pedestrian fatalities nationwide. Drivers are advised to:

• Pay careful attention to the road. Drivers are distracted by electronic devices, by talking to passengers, by reaching for items in their car, by daydreaming, or by putting on makeup. Distraction among drivers is a major cause of serious and fatal pedestrian collisions.
• Avoid drinking and driving. Approximately 15 percent of motorists who kill pedestrians by hitting them with their cars have a blood alcohol concentration of .08 or higher according to the Edmunds report on data obtained from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
• Obey the speed limit. Edmunds warns that there is a 90 percent risk of a pedestrian dying when hit by a car going 48 MPH, compared with only a 10 percent risk that a crash will be fatal if the driver is going only 17 MPH.

While drivers are often responsible for pedestrian collisions, pedestrians sometimes play a role in causing accidents as well. Pedestrians are advised to make sure they do not drink and walk home, as drunk walking can be dangerous.

Edmunds provided data showing that in 2013, 36 percent of pedestrians aged 16 and up who were killed in fatal crashes with cars had a blood alcohol concentration of .08 or above. Many pedestrians are not aware that walking home drunk can be dangerous and some people opt to walk home because they think it is much safer than being in a car. The safer option would be to take a taxi home.

Distracted walking has become a concern too, as 3.6 percent of pedestrians who were killed in crashes in 2010 were using their cell phone at the time of the accident, according to the Edmunds report of data from Ohio State University.

If drivers and pedestrians do their part, hopefully Florida can bring its pedestrian death rate down. If an accident does happen, pedestrians or their family members will need to speak with a personal injury attorney who can help them to determine if a driver can be held liable for losses. Contact the Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. for help with your case.