Pedestrian crashes can take the lives of pedestrians in a second. If a pedestrian is knocked down, they could be run over. If they go up over the vehicle, they could be hit by other drivers after falling onto the roadway. There are many hazards, and no crash is without risk.
A fatal pedestrian crash takes place around once every 88 minutes. With so many deaths taking place, it’s essential that people start talking about how to prevent deaths while pedestrians are on or near the roadways.
Who is at the greatest risk of injury and death in a pedestrian crash?
Based on data from 2017, those who are 65 or older made up around 20% of all pedestrian deaths. Children also made up around one in five pedestrian deaths.
What puts pedestrians at the greatest risk of being hit?
Around 47% of all crashes leading to a pedestrian death involved alcohol, either for the driver or the pedestrian. Around one in three collisions involved a pedestrian who was intoxicated over the legal limit. Seventeen percent involved drivers who had a blood alcohol content (BAC) over the legal limit.
Some other possible risk factors for pedestrians include walking in urban areas, at night or in nonintersection locations. Traveling in areas with higher vehicle speeds can also increase the chances of being hit and killed.
If you are a pedestrian and are hit by a car, the chances of death increase based on factors such as your age and how fast the vehicle was traveling. Higher speeds are more likely to lead to critical injuries or death.
