How are pedestrians most likely to get hit by a vehicle?
Pedestrians face great risks when they cross the street. According to data from the Ohio Department of Public Safety, over 2,000 pedestrians suffered injuries from motor vehicles in 2014.
While a driver at least has some protection from the vehicle itself, pedestrians unfortunately do not have anything to cushion an impact. To avoid injury, it is crucial for anyone out walking to be aware of the situations where such collisions are more likely to occur.
Left-hand turns
A vehicle driver is much more likely to strike a pedestrian when trying to make a left-hand turn than a right-hand one. The reason for this is that the driver is often paying attention to oncoming traffic, especially when it is an unprotected left-hand turn, while the pedestrian looks straight ahead.
Dark clothes
When walking at night, pedestrians should take care to wear bright clothing. Wearing black or dark clothing makes people harder to see. Drivers may accidentally strike a person simply because they could not see the individual.
Parking lots
Many pedestrian accidents occur in parking lots. This often comes down to the fact many drivers are distracted when driving in these areas. They are looking for a place to park or checking their phone to text a friend. Drivers assume a parking lot is safe because they drive at such a slow speed, so they may not stay sufficiently alert.
Improper lane use
In many areas, bicyclists have their own lane in the road to ride on. However, many still prefer using the sidewalk. Unfortunately, this puts pedestrians at more risk. Bicyclists may hit people on foot, or the pedestrian may jump out onto the street and into traffic to avoid a bicycle.
Both drivers and pedestrians need to exercise a reasonable amount of care when on the street. While it may be impossible to avoid an accident entirely, keeping alert in higher-risk situations can help people stay safe.