Every year, pedestrian accidents result in thousands of injuries and fatalities. In order to help reduce the number of these accidents, it is important to understand their most common causes.
Distracted driving
There are three main types of distracted driving: manual, visual and cognitive. Manual distractions involve anything that takes the driver’s hands off of the wheel. This could be something as simple as adjusting the radio or eating a snack. Visual distractions occur when the driver takes their eyes off of the road. This could be due to looking at a GPS device or staring at an accident scene. Cognitive distractions are those that take the driver’s mind off of the task of driving. This could be caused by daydreaming, talking on the phone or being under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
All these types of distractions can lead to pedestrian accidents in several ways. For instance, if the driver is not paying attention to the road, they may not see a pedestrian until it is too late. Also, even if the driver does see the pedestrian, they may not be able to react in time if their hands are not on the wheel or their eyes are not on the road.
Speeding
Speed is a factor in many accidents, but it is especially dangerous when pedestrians are involved. This is because pedestrians do not have the same type of protection that motorists have. When a car hits a pedestrian at high speeds, the pedestrian is much more likely to be seriously injured or killed. In addition, speeding makes it harder for drivers to stop in time if they see a pedestrian.
Driving under the influence
Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is not only illegal, but it is also extremely dangerous. This is because these substances can impair a driver’s ability to drive safely. For instance, they may have trouble staying in their lane or they may not be able to react quickly enough if they see a pedestrian.
If you are a pedestrian, it is important to be aware of the dangers of speeding cars. Make sure to cross the street at designated crosswalks and always look both ways before crossing.