Even as traffic accident death rates last year dropped to record lows, the number of pedestrian accident fatalities increased.  Last year, there was a 4.2% increase in the number of people killed in pedestrian accidents, the first time that an increase has been recorded in 4 years.

There was also an increase of 19% in the number of pedestrians injured to 70,000 last year.  The roads may be safer for motorists, but as Houston car accident lawyers can see from these statistics, they are not so for pedestrians at all.

There are no explanations for this increase in pedestrian fatalities.  The statistics have just come in, and it’s far too early to speculate about the reasons why more numbers of pedestrians died in accidents last year.   Some of the theories for this increase include the fact that many roads in the country are still designed for automobiles.  Besides, more numbers of people now choose to walk elsewhere.  Even with an increase in the number of pedestrians, there has not been a corresponding enhancement in road design.  In other words, road design continues to factor in safety concerns of motorists, and not pedestrians or bicyclists.

However, some transportation safety groups also believe that pedestrian distractions have increased.  More numbers of pedestrians and motorists are now distracted by like cell phones.  Additionally, a pedestrian’s risk of being involved in an accident with an intoxicated motorist also remains very real.  In fact, alcohol use was associated with about 48% of all pedestrian deaths in 2009.

Vuk Vujasinovic is a Board Certified Houston personal injury attorney who practices Houston auto accident and other personal injury cases.

For more info on how Vuk can help you with your potential case please call him at (877) 724-7800 or fill out the contact form on the right.

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