If you lost a loved one in a pedestrian versus car accident, you will no doubt have a long road ahead of you in terms of your emotional recovery. It will be particularly difficult to deal with your loved one’s loss if he or she died due to the fault of another driver. It will also be difficult to hear that pedestrian deaths in the United States have reached record highs.
Last year, 6,000 people died after being hit by a car while walking. This figure represents two straight years of record-breaking numbers. The last time pedestrian deaths were this high goes back to 1983. Considering the numerous advancements in motor vehicle technology, traffic laws and pedestrian-friendly road designs across the country, this spike in pedestrian deaths certainly makes one stop to wonder: Why?
The reason, according to certain safety experts relates to marijuana and smartphones. Marijuana use is rising throughout the United States, both legally and illegally. This has led to more people driving their vehicles while high, slower reaction times and – as a result – the increased likelihood of pedestrian versus car accidents. Smartphones are being used more readily and – even though it’s highly illegal – numerous motorists prefer to update their Facebook statuses than keep their eyes on the road.
Will the situation get better? Perhaps the only way for pedestrian accident deaths to lower is for motorists to become more responsible. One way to encourage this is for pedestrian accident victims and their family members to hold negligent motorists liable for the injuries, deaths and financial damages they cause.
Source: New Orleans Public Radio, “Last 2 Years ‘Have Set Records’ For Pedestrian Deaths, Traffic Researcher Says,” Feb. 28, 2018