Why Pedestrian Accidents Are on the Rise in the U.S.

Pedestrians, unlike passengers in vehicles, are at a higher risk of injury or death in an accident. The trends show that the number of pedestrian deaths has only increased over the decades, highlighting the need for better infrastructure and regulation.

When someone gets into an accident, their whole life can be upended — they can be badly injured, requiring hospitalization and surgery that can take weeks, if not months, to recover from. There will be a ton of bills to pay, which could send some people into financial ruin. This is why victims should seek compensation for pedestrian accidents, ensuring at least a part of their burden is alleviated.

Why Are Pedestrian Accidents on the Rise?

Several factors contribute to the uptick in pedestrian accidents across the country, including an increase in the use of mobile phones, the size of vehicles, a lack of proper pedestrian infrastructure, and so on. Let’s get into these factors in detail:

Use of Technology

A huge cause of accidents today is distraction — primarily, the use of mobile phones. Cars today come equipped with the latest tech, which gives drivers access to everything from a map to the news or messaging applications. There’s plenty of opportunity for people to be distracted on the road. Devices are notoriously designed to be distracting and addictive, and they can become deadly when used on the road.

Everyone is guilty of it — sending a quick text while you’re driving or making a phone call to save time. This is risky because it gets drivers to take their eyes off the road, even if only for a moment. That’s enough time for them to miss a road sign, fail to see the car ahead of them stopping, or worse, notice a pedestrian crossing the road.

Intoxication

While the use of alcohol when driving has not necessarily increased over the years, the use of drugs has gone up, according to a government study. This is attributed to the relaxation of drug laws across the country for medical and recreational purposes. Intoxicated driving puts everyone at risk, with drivers unable to maintain control over their vehicles or make accurate judgments.

Poor Infrastructure

A major reason why pedestrians are at risk in the first place is due to the sheer lack of pedestrian infrastructure across the country. Pedestrians are often left to cross deadly highways without a pedestrian bridge or crosswalk. Without sidewalks, people often have to use the same road as trucks, cars, and motorbikes, leaving them defenseless against any accident on the road.

In areas where people rely exclusively on pedestrian infrastructure to get around, the number of pedestrian deaths is high. This affects poorer communities disproportionately, as they are more likely to use public transport for everything from work to their weekly grocery run.

More Vehicles on the Road

The country’s population has steadily grown over the years, and with it, the number of cars on the road. Politicians have advocated for a car-first economy, leaving pedestrians in the dust. It doesn’t help that cars have gotten bigger and heavier over the years, which increases the risk of injury or death to pedestrians.

The problem of homelessness may contribute to pedestrian injuries because these people have nowhere to go, even at night, leaving them at risk of being run over. At night, visibility is poor, leaving people vulnerable to accidents. This is again an indication of poor infrastructure and social inequality.

Final Thoughts

Pedestrian accidents have increased across the country due to a number of factors, including poor infrastructure and an increase in the number of cars on the road. It is clear, however, that in a car-first economy like the U.S., pedestrians may never be prioritized, leaving them at risk of being injured or killed on the road.