As a direct consequence of pedestrians and necessity to share the major and minor roadways from major cities to the miniscule minor rural small towns of our highly mobile society, the resulting mix can be a traumatic and at times deadly combination of conflicts – the unprotected pedestrian is most likely to fair the worst in any vehicle and pedestrian collision.
The essential street crossings, especially in extremely highly populated and densely mobile business and residential areas, can be very complex even for the fit and agile pedestrian, Though spare a thought for the less fit and agile pedestrian, especially consider the near impossible task of attempting to cross a very busy street, when a mother is in control and responsible for the safety of her precious young children. The third and deadliest combination is of crossing a very busy street crossing is more apparent – and possibly more deadly, is when the pedestrian is physically or mentally challenged, especially physically challenged by blindness and or deafness, this disability allows the pedestrian very little opportunity of safely crossing even the simplest street crossing without a possibility of being involved in personal injury or even massive trauma.
As describe street crossing for some pedestrians can be an extremely complex task even for the fit and agile, as fitness and agility only accounts for part of the complex task of crossing any street, for example, a task analysis for child pedestrians by Van Der Molan, (1981) identified 26 subtasks involved in the simple act of crossing the street safely. In the street crossing task, the road is scanned, traffic is perceived, and judgements are made about the perceived distance, speed and movement of the vehicles this information is analysed, processed and stored and, on the basis of the perceived safety or danger, a decision is made on whether and where to cross the street.
Van Der Molan concludes that various factors have an influence on the pedestrian behaviour and safety:
1). Environment; (road type, intersections, surfacing, lighting, regulations).2). Traffic; (volume, moving and stationary vehicles, communication).3). Personal; (physical, psychological, and personal characteristics; motivation, age, experience).4). Social; (presence of others, personal journey, play).
Pedestrian Accidents.
Street crossing pedestrian accidents have been analysed and been classified in various ways, Snyder (1972) considered the following types as crucial to the argument:
a). Dart out, first half: a pedestrian, not physically at an intersection, appears suddenly from the roadside.
b). Dart out, second half: not physically at an intersection, appears suddenly from the roadside and covers half of the crossing before he is struck.
c). Intersection dash: similar to dart outs, these occur in or near a crosswalk at an intersection.
d). Multi threat: the pedestrian is struck by a vehicle after other vehicles have stopped for him and blocked the view of the oncoming striking driver.
e). Vehicle turns or merges with attention conflict: the driver is turning or merging with traffic and his attention is directed to the traffic looking for a gap to enter or turn when he hits a pedestrian who is crossing the roadway.
f). Bus stop related: pedestrian crosses in front of the bus, which is blocking the view of oncoming drivers.
Without doubt the most common cause of pedestrian accidents relating to Pedestrian Street Crossing - According to the study by Várhelyi and Mkinen (2001), are Dart out: first half. Since the relevant classification was first recognised, other types of pedestrian accidents, such as those involving people on inline skates, skateboards and non motorised scooters, have become extremely common and involve massive trauma.
Personal injury accidents involving pedestrians, represents a significant proportion of traffic collisions – Rates in North America are among the lowest (about 12% of road fatalities), and have been reduced in recent decades: NHTSA (2004) Traffic Safety Facts, 2003, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Probably because of less need for pedestrian traffic in relation to higher mobility, and greater use of private motor vehicles than are found in most other areas of the world.
The number of pedestrian injuries and deaths has reduced in recent decades; however, a problem still exists for certain categories of pedestrians. For example, pedestrian deaths represent 13 to 17% of motor vehicle deaths in the US over the past two decades, and a higher proportion in other counties. Deaths are highest among pedestrians over the age of 65, with the highest rate for older men.
Major Interstate Highways are the least safe area of pedestrian deaths. Interstate Highways account for more than 10% of pedestrian fatalities in a US Study Johnson (1997). In this three year study of 394 police accident reports of fatal freeway crashes from three states, Johnson, 1997, found that 80% occurred after dark and about 40% involved pedestrians crossing or entering the highway, usually taking the shortest route to their intended destinations. Another common scenario 18% of all accidents involved working on or pushing their vehicle.
If as a pedestrian you were involved in a traumatic and debilitating accident, or know of a family member, a loved one, or a valued friend, who received injuries, harm either physical or psychological - through a pedestrian related accident, then find a local personal injury attorney, local personal injury lawyer free. Complete Attorney Index website is a regularly updated local personal injury attorney directory, where you choose and freely contact, your local personal injury attorney, local personal injury lawyer, without abusing your right of Freedom to Choose. Complete Attorney Index website is not a law firm introducer or pre-selection directory for local personal injury attorney or local personal injury lawyer or receives financial backing, payments from any nation wide, state wide or local injury attorneys, local injury lawyers. Your Freedom of Choice is your protected right – Complete Attorney Index website if intensely independent and intensely unbiased. You search and contact with no introductions whatsoever – exercise you freedom to choose Search Now! Find local personal injury attorney free. Find local personal injury lawyer freehttp://www.completeattorneyindex.com
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