The Different Ways Motorists Endanger the Lives of Pedestrians
Walking is the simplest form of transportation. It is healthy, environmentally friendly, and suits almost everyone. With the increased number of vehicles on the road, what was once a simple act of crossing the street has become perilous for a pedestrian.
Though measures have been taken to provide them with safe environments, the risks from motorists remain very high.
Pedestrian accidents often result in severe injuries or fatalities, leaving lasting impacts on families and communities. Much of the responsibility lies with motorists, who are required to be alert and aware of the vulnerable people using the road.
This blog will examine the various ways that drivers endanger the lives of pedestrians and discuss solutions to make our streets safer.
Speeding
Speeding is the most common and dangerous behavior among motorists. With high speed, the driver has less time to respond to abrupt changes within the line of sight, say a pedestrian who just stepped onto the road.
Also, the faster a vehicle moves, the longer the braking distance, thus increasing the chances of a collision.
Many drivers tend to underestimate the danger of traveling over the speed limit, especially in areas such as school zones, residential neighborhoods, and busy intersections.
Speeding also reduces a driver's peripheral vision, reducing the angle and preventing one from clearly seeing pedestrians. This is especially dangerous in areas where children might have been playing on or near the street.
Distracted Driving
With the invention of smartphones and their ability to stay connected always, the roads are slowly becoming increasingly dangerous, thanks to distracted driving.
Common distractions include texting, eating, adjusting the radio, or even conversing with passengers. Each of these activities diverts attention from driving and increases the chances of an accident.
A quite dangerous situation is texting on the wheel. This activity takes the eyes off the road and the hands off the wheel, sometimes for more than a moment.
Eating and drinking are also dangerous because these activities have to deal with managing both the vehicle and food, which can turn out to be dangerous.
Impaired Driving
Another important factor that endangers pedestrians is driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Drunk drivers have poor reaction times, poor judgment, and reduced levels of motor skills, making it much harder for them to avoid hitting a pedestrian.
Even a small amount of alcohol can weaken a driver's judgment and skills. Drugs may also influence a driver's ability to operate a vehicle properly, whether they are narcotics or prescribed medication.
Fatigue may be as dangerous as drunken driving. Drowsy drivers have lower reaction times and will often fall asleep while driving.
Failure to Yield Way
Pedestrians have the right of way over motorists when using crosswalks or crossing at intersections, but most drivers do not give way as required. This failure puts pedestrians at a high degree of risk. The reasons for this are usually impatience, ignorance of the law, or sometimes just inattentiveness.
When a driver does not yield, the pedestrian who thinks everything is safe steps into the road, only for them to be knocked down by an oncoming vehicle. The law demands that motorists come to a complete stop and yield to pedestrians at crosswalks; however, this rarely happens.
Aggressive Driving
Aggressive driving is a behavior that increases the chances of a pedestrian accident. Following too closely behind is dangerous, even in foot traffic zones. When drivers are on a tight schedule, they run the red lights or stop signs.
Excessive use of the horn can startle pedestrians, thus making them feel stressed and in danger. Cutting in front of other drivers and making abrupt movements to get ahead can put pedestrians in danger.
Aggressive acceleration, or sudden acceleration from a full stop, takes pedestrians by surprise and may lead to accidents. Such actions endanger pedestrians and jeopardize the safety of others on the road.
Adverse Weather Conditions
Bad weather may increase the risks motorists pose to pedestrians. Rain, fog, and snow will decrease visibility and make it even more challenging for drivers to spot pedestrians. Slippery roads increase stopping distances, thereby making it more difficult for vehicles to stop on time.
Wind effects can impact vehicle control and pedestrian balance. It allows both drivers and pedestrians to effectively reduce the chances of being a victim of an accident or hurt due to bad weather conditions.
Poorly Maintained Vehicles
Poorly maintained vehicles pose a significant risk to pedestrians. Failure of the brakes may lead to the inability of the vehicle to stop in time, leading to accidents.
Broken lights deprive a pedestrian of the ability to see if a vehicle is approaching from a distance, mostly during the night. Cracked windshields have the effect of distorting how a driver sees things.
Faulty wipers bring down the visibility during rainy or snowy conditions, thereby making it harder for a driver to notice pedestrians.
Improperly functioning steering systems may cause the vehicle to lose control of their vehicle and put just about everyone on the road in danger.
Making Our Streets Safer
We have seen many ways that motorists can be a danger to pedestrians' lives. However, it does not have to be this way.
Making the streets a safe space is the responsibility of everyone out there, not only motorists and pedestrians but also city planners and policymakers in general.
Drivers should stick to safe and attentive driving, put away the phone, observe speed limits, yield to pedestrians, and never drive impaired.
Pedestrians can help by being alert to their surroundings, using crosswalks, and taking measures to improve visibility while walking in conditions with poor visibility.
Cities can improve infrastructure with better markings for crosswalks and pedestrian islands. Lawmakers can also strengthen and enforce laws against distracted and impaired driving.
Conclusion
Pedestrian safety is everybody's responsibility, but motorists play a very key role in the prevention of accidents. Drivers should be mindful of all the parties they share the road with and learn ways in which their negligent actions can be fatal to others.