Why People Get Hit: Eight Causes of Pedestrian Accidents

 

With weather warming up, more people are on the streets. Traveling by foot might be a wiser and healthier option, but it’s not always safer.

Pedestrian travel offers numerous health benefits—from increased cardiovascular fitness to reduced environmental impact—yet it also comes with its own set of risks if caution and proper infrastructure are lacking. As communities continue to promote walkability, it becomes critical for both drivers and pedestrians to stay informed about potential hazards. Seventy-thousand pedestrians are injured — and more than 4,000 die — in automobile collisions every year. While this is only a slither of the vehicle-accident total, it’s a disproportionate amount: Eleven percent of transport (disregarding miles traveled) happens by foot, but pedestrians are involved in 13 percent of vehicle-related fatalities (Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Traffic Safety Facts). In fact, recent data from the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) indicates that pedestrian fatalities in the U.S. have been on a gradual rise over the last few years, prompting many cities to launch “Vision Zero” initiatives aimed at reducing pedestrian and cycling fatalities to zero. These trends highlight the need for enhanced crosswalks, better lighting, and ongoing community outreach focused on traffic safety. Although drivers are legally responsible for controlling their vehicle at all times, the majority of pedestrian accidents are caused by pedestrian actions. Sunny days — where more people are outside– rack in 90 percent of incidents. Age is also a factor – seniors over 65 and children under 15 account for a combined 27 percent of fatalities and 34 percent of injuries. (Source: NHTSA Traffic Safety Facts). This underscores the importance of targeted awareness campaigns, especially for school zones and senior living communities. Infrastructure like well-marked crosswalks, curb extensions, and pedestrian islands can help mitigate these risks and provide safe passage for the most vulnerable age groups. Here are some culprits: Image Source: A. Shilova on Flickr, https://www.flickr.com/photos/ashilova/ 1. Improper Lane Use

The vast majority of pedestrian accidents happen in the road with two-thirds occurring on city streets. A bike riding on the sidewalk can hit pedestrians or force them onto the road.

In many areas, local regulations dictate whether bicycles can be used on sidewalks or only in designated bike lanes. When bikes mix with foot traffic, confusion and congestion can arise, increasing the risk of accidents. Ensuring that pedestrians and cyclists each have a safe, dedicated space can significantly reduce these collisions. 2. Unmarked Crosswalks

Intersections are a hotspot for pedestrian accidents. Using signaled crosswalks dramatically reduces the risk. Clearly marked pedestrian pathways are vital at or near parking lots because drivers are less likely to see people when they’re focused on parking.

Well-designed crosswalks feature high-visibility markings, proper signage, and, where possible, pedestrian-activated signals. Additionally, “leading pedestrian intervals”—where pedestrians get a few seconds’ head start before drivers receive a green light—have been shown to reduce vehicle-pedestrian conflicts.

3. Left-Hand Turns

While safer, signaled crosswalks aren’t immune to vehicle-pedestrian collisions. Three times as many people get hit by cars turning left than by cars turning right because both parties are looking elsewhere: The drivers are busy negotiating the intersection and street-crossers are looking straight ahead.

Pedestrians can help mitigate this danger by making eye contact with turning drivers and ensuring that they are seen before stepping off the curb. Cities can further minimize these risks by installing dedicated left-turn signals or banning left turns where pedestrian traffic is heavy.

4. Electronics

The no-texting rule isn’t only for drivers. A recent study by NYU Langone Medical Center on New York City pedestrian accidents found eight percent accidents occurred while the victim was using electronics including cellphones, and music devices. The study also found a substantial number of accidents occurred from passengers exiting vehicles on the roadway side.

Distraction in any form—whether texting, scrolling through social media, or wearing noise-canceling headphones—reduces situational awareness. Safety experts advise pedestrians to keep the volume on their devices low enough to still hear traffic and to pause texting until they’ve safely reached their destination.

5. Quiet Cars

While ideal for neighborhood peace, battery-operated automobiles and hybrids are 40 percent more likely to strike pedestrians – who detect oncoming traffic with their ears as well as their eyes – than their gas-guzzling counterparts. The risk jumps to 50 percent in residential areas, where the speed limit is at or below 35mph and stops and turns are more frequent. (Source: NHTSA)

To address this, regulations now require many electric and hybrid vehicles to produce an artificial sound at lower speeds to alert pedestrians. This technology can help bridge the gap for those who rely on auditory cues before crossing.

6. Dark Clothes

Nearly 50 percent of all pedestrian accidents happen on the weekends and 70 percent happen at night. (Source: Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS)) After the sun goes down, bright and lightly colored clothes are easier to spot– critical in less populated stretches with poor street lighting. Pocket flashlights are also a good idea for night-prowling.

Retroreflective materials on jackets, backpacks, or shoes can provide an additional layer of visibility to oncoming vehicles. Communities that invest in well-lit sidewalks and pedestrian paths see fewer nighttime accidents, as improved lighting dramatically increases a pedestrian’s visibility.

7. Alcohol

Substance use, no doubt, contributes to the nights-and-weekends accident spike and drivers aren’t the only responsible party. Thirty-seven percent of fatally injured pedestrian have blood alcohol concentrations of at least 0.08 percent. Intoxicated drivers, by comparison, are involved in 13 percent of pedestrian collisions. (Source: IIHS-Highway Loss Data Institute)

Public awareness campaigns often highlight “don’t drink and drive,” but it’s equally important to remind people to stay alert when walking under the influence. Planning a safe ride home, using rideshare services, or walking with a sober companion can dramatically reduce the likelihood of an accident.

8. Arterial Roads

As cities draw more and more people, multi-lane, high-speed roadways are increasingly necessary to move traffic to and from the freeway. Unfortunately, these sites are also hazardous to the densely populated areas they serve, where walking is commonplace and bus stops are plentiful.

Some of these accidents are also caused by poorly marked construction zones. One way to help signal drivers is by using lots of road cones and other hazard markings.

According to a 2010 report by University of North Carolina’s Highway Safety Research Center , the majority of urban pedestrian accidents happen in these roadways.

Image Source: Sarah Baker on Flickr, https://www.flickr.com/photos/sarahbaker/

Urban planners and transportation engineers have introduced road diets (reducing the number or width of lanes) on certain arterial roads and added raised medians to give pedestrians a safe place to pause while crossing multiple lanes. These adjustments, combined with lower speed limits and improved signage, can dramatically cut pedestrian-related incidents. By understanding these common causes of pedestrian accidents, communities, lawmakers, and individual travelers can work together to make streets safer. Drivers must remain vigilant, pedestrians should walk defensively, and city planners can invest in infrastructure improvements. With concerted effort, we can help ensure that traveling by foot is not only healthy but safe.    

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