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Pedestrians in Florida Run a Higher Risk of Personal Injury Than Pedestrians Elsewhere
Walking should not be a life-threatening activity. For many, walking is an easy way to get from one place to another. For some, it’s the only way for them to get where they need to go due to the expenses involved in other forms of transportation or a lack of reliable public transportation in their area. As a result, it’s common to see pedestrians in cities going about their days like everyone else.
However, walking is not as safe as many might have expected. The choice to cross a street presents numerous dangers. Especially when drivers are not cognizant of their surroundings, it can make the simple task of getting from point A to point B difficult for even the most experienced pedestrian. And if you’re a pedestrian in Florida, then you may be at a higher risk than most when you decide to set out on foot.
A recent study has shown that 8 of the 10 most dangerous cities for pedestrians are in Florida. A group called Smart Growth America put together this study to analyze and index cities based on pedestrian danger.
The analysis spans data from 2005 to 2014, allowing us to compare the safety of pedestrians in cities that vary in size, density and walking rates.
The report found that between 2005 and 2014, an average of 13 people were killed by cars every day while walking. Additionally, people of color were over-represented in the statistics. It was reported that people over age 65 are 50% more likely to be hit than younger people. And household income often correlated to pedestrian danger, which means that the people who can least afford to be hurt tend to live in the most dangerous areas for pedestrians.
A few of the most dangerous cities included Fort Myers, Orlando, Jacksonville and our very own Tampa. But this is just the tip of the iceberg.
Keep An Eye Out For Pedestrians
There are many factors involved in keeping pedestrians safe. While poor street design may be one issue at play, another may be an increase in distracted drivers. After all, when drivers are not paying attention to what’s going on around them, they run a much higher risk of striking and killing pedestrians.
A Tampa wrongful death lawyer sees many cases of accidents, injuries and deaths that could have been prevented. We owe it to ourselves and each other to be vigilant on the roads. So, whether you’re a driver or a pedestrian, it pays to take a second look before you take any action that could put yourself or others in harm’s way.
Should you unfortunately fall victim to an injury as a result of someone else’s negligence, you can rest assured that we are here to help. Do not worry about having to handle your legal situation on your own. Our team is here for you.
And if you’re ready to take the next step, do not hesitate to contact us.
