Car Accident Deaths Decline in Florida, Pedestrian Deaths Increase
As a prime tourist destination, thousands of visitors are drawn to Florida each year. With the additional vehicles and resulting boost in traffic, it would seem that traffic accidents and associated fatalities would be an increasing problem. However, Florida's Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles indicates just the opposite.
Between 2009 and 2010, the overall traffic fatality rate in Florida dipped to its lowest point on record, dropping more than 4.5 percent. Even more dramatic, over the period of five years, from 2005 to 2010, the number of traffic-related fatalities declined 31 percent. These decreases extended beyond passenger vehicles and included motorcycle, bicycle and teen crash deaths, too.
Unfortunately, the good news ends with traffic crashes. From 2009 to 2010, pedestrian deaths jumped to 3.5 percent with nearly 500 deaths reported. What has happened?
Today, with the poor state of the economy, many people are choosing to walk instead of ride or drive. Walking saves money in addition to providing health and environmental benefits. Yet, walking also poses distinct hazards to pedestrian safety for reasons such as:
- Pedestrians are more difficult for drivers to see
- Signals speeds at crosswalks and intersections are set to accommodate cars, not walkers
- Drivers under the influence of drugs or alcohol (DUI/DWI) have impaired judgment and response
- Careless drivers fail to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians
- Distracted drivers direct their attention to mobile phones and other devices instead of watching the road for other cars, obstacles and pedestrians
The upward swing in pedestrian injuries and deaths is not unique to Florida. That is why the Federal Highway Administration and other public and private organizations across the country are working to bring awareness to the lack of pedestrian safety and to initiate change. Because of their efforts, some communities have installed countdown signals to provide audible notification for signal changes, changed the timing of intersection signals and added speed bumps and medians to roadways.
Tragically, the work of the governmental and other agencies does not prevent all Florida pedestrian accidents. However, when injuries or fatalities occur, the injured party or the family of the deceased may have the right to pursue monetary damages from the negligent person who caused the accident. An experienced personal injury and wrongful death attorney can provide details about rights, responsibilities and legal options available.
