Articles Posted in Pedestrian Accidents

A new study out of Oregon and Portland State Universities has concluded that left turns are among the riskiest pedestrian areas. Researchers have found that permitted (also known as unprotected) left turns are especially risky. These types of left turns are created to ensure a steady flow of traffic, but if the study’s authors are correct, that speedy traffic comes at a price: more car collisions in Hollywood and other cities.

The study, published by the Oregon Transportation Research and Education Consortium, determined that unprotected left turns lead to traffic accidents for a few reasons:

1) Poor motorist habits. According to the researchers, motorists who are turning left at permitted turns are 4-9% less likely to check for pedestrians when completing their turn when compared with motorists making other types of turns.

2) Confusing signals. Each city in the US – and even different cities within the same state – have different signals for unprotected left turns. According to personal injury attorneys in Hollywood and other communities, this lack of consistency can lead to confusion and can increase the risk of pedestrian accidents in Hollywood and other communities. Some experts have recommended one universal permitted left hand traffic sign be adopted to reduce confusion and reduce the risk of collisions.

3) Poor pedestrian habits. In many car and truck accidents in Hollywood and other communities, when pedestrians are involved they may bear some of the liability for the collision. Researchers with the Federal Highway Administration found that pedestrians are more likely to be injured when crossing in marked crosswalks rather than unmarked areas. According to some experts, this may be because pedestrians feel much safer in marked crosswalks and may take fewer precautions.

4) Unprotected left turns encourage cars to turn quickly. According to the study published by the Oregon Transportation Research and Education Consortium, drivers making a permitted left turn often need to move quickly in order to complete their turns, and this speed can mean that they do not take the time to check for pedestrians.

According to a 2010 NHTSA report, 13% of all traffic deaths in 2010 were pedestrian fatalities. That means that year about 4280 pedestrians died in traffic collisions. Experts agree that in many cases these deaths are preventable and could be avoided with better motorist habits.

Some experts believe that permitted left turns should be converted into protected left turns in order to reduce instances of traffic accidents. Others argue that better signals or traffic signs would help prevent pedestrian fatalities. Most experts do agree that some changes need to be made to prevent senseless fatalities and injuries.

Continue reading →

The holiday season means plenty of errands as well as fun activities. During the bustle of the season, though, Pembroke Pines car accidents are a risk. The extra rush of the holidays as well as extra traffic on the roads can lead to collisions and road rage, as well as other hazards. To have a pleasant and safe holiday, be sure to follow these tips:

1) Be more cautious in parking areas. These can be the site of many slow-speed accidents as busy shoppers rush to get to sales and back home again. Drive defensively in parking areas and keep an eye out for distracted pedestrians and drivers. Park in well-lit areas to stay safe when walking to and from retail areas.

2) Lock your car when shopping and store purchased items in the trunk. Unfortunately, thieves do target shoppers. Keeps valuables stowed out of sight so that they will not be a temptation.

3) Prepare for road trips and shopping trips to unfamiliar areas. Print out a map or use GPS to get to your destination safely. If you are going on a longer trip, get details about detour routes, road conditions, and weather conditions as well.

4) Do not drink and drive. Pembroke Pines drunk driving accidents claim too many lives each year and these are accidents that are easily preventable.

5) Inform someone when you will be heading out for a trip or running holiday errands. When someone is expecting you, they can check in if you get into trouble and cannot return.

6) Carry your mobile device with you, but keep it switched off in the car. Mobile devices are a handy way to call for help if you get stranded. However, they can also lead to Pembroke Pines motorcycle accidents and car accidents because they are a major distraction.

7) Keep at least half a tank of gas in the car when you head out and keep your car in good repair. Having enough fuel to get home (or at least to the next gas station) can ensure that you get home safely. A car that is in good repair is also less likely to break down in the middle of a roadway, potentially causing a collision.

8 ) Consider driving with a friend or family member, especially if you are heading out to run errands or are headed out for a longer trip. Two drivers can share driving duty, which makes it easier to avoid fatigued driving. A second driver can also check maps and keep an eye out for exit ramps, leaving the main driver less distracted.

Continue reading →

Halloween night presents a number of challenges for drivers, the biggest challenge being the groups of trick-or-treaters out on the streets. Hialeah pedestrian accidents are in fact a much greater threat to trick-or-treaters than injuries caused by candy. To avoid a Hialeah traffic accident this year, consider the following tips:

1) Consider a curfew and other rules for teen drivers. Teen drivers are most at risk because they are less experienced. Set some rules or consider having new drivers avoid driving entirely on Halloween night to prevent Hialeah pedestrian accidents.

2) Consider a party instead of trick-or-treating. Hosting a party rather than having children trick-or-treat can be a safe alternative that still stays fun. If you are hosting a Halloween party that is not just for kids, either make it alcohol-free or have a safe transportation option for your guests to avoid the risk of Hialeah drunk driving accidents.

3) Have everyone outfitted with visible costumes. If you have children who are trick-or-treating, ensure that the costumes are safe. The costumes should not have long hems that can pose a trip hazard or masks and hoods that block visibility. Costumes should be highly visible and should have reflective strips to make them more visible to motorists.

4) If your children go trick-or-treating, insist that they go with an adult and in a group. An adult can supervise to ensure that children do not run out into the road while a group of children can ensure that they are more visible.

5) If you are taking children trick or treating, walk along one side of the street before crossing at a crosswalk and working down the opposite side of the road. Children often want to run back and forth across the road, but this can increase the odds of a Hialeah car accident.

6) If you will be driving on Halloween night and Halloween afternoon, exercise extra caution. Children may start trick-or-treating early and not all will follow safety rules or cross at crosswalks.

7) Consider a night in. If there is nowhere you have to drive on Halloween night, consider renting movies or staying in on that night. The fewer cars are on the roads, the safer the streets will be with the extra influx of pedestrians.

Continue reading →

Chicago recently unrolled its pedestrian safety plan, joining the ranks of cities such as Portland and New York, which have their own plans for preventing serious pedestrian accidents. The Chicago plan has 250 recommendations to prevent injuries and fatalities. Could Fort Lauderdale benefit from a similar plan? Some of the recommendations in the Chicago policy could help prevent Fort Lauderdale pedestrian accidents as well:

1) Chicanes. Chicanes are extra turns added to a roadway to slow traffic down. Since in many cases Fort Lauderdale traffic accidents are caused by speeding, reducing traffic speed can be a good way to slash the risk of accidents.

2) Pedestrian islands. In some cases, Fort Lauderdale pedestrian accidents occur because a car enters a pedestrian area. Pedestrian islands keep pedestrians separated from cars and discourage pedestrians from entering traffic.

3) Midblock curb bumpouts. These narrow portions of a street to slow traffic, usually by extending the curb. This is yet another way to reduce speed in order to help prevent Fort Lauderdale car accidents.

4) A system for repairing two high-collision areas and four dangerous intersections each year. The Chicago plan calls for authorities to find and address dangerous intersections and corridors annually. Fort Lauderdale also has high collision areas and areas that are considered especially dangerous. Identifying and rectifying these problems can help prevent traffic accidents.

5) Speed humps. Reducing speed with speed bumps is effective, according to experts, because speed bumps work whether there is enforcement or not. Most cars will slow down rather than taking speed bumps at a high speed, making them more effective than simply lowering the speed limits.

6) Pedestrian scrambles. A pedestrian scramble stops all vehicle traffic at an intersection and allows pedestrians to walk in every direction at the same time. Pedestrians can even walk diagonally. Pedestrian scrambles work because they prevent pedestrians and cars from sharing an intersection at the same time. It helps prevent Fort Lauderdale pedestrian accidents caused by cars turning into a pedestrian area.

7) Road diets. Road diets reduce the number of lanes on some roads, reducing traffic and therefore crashes. Former Florida Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator Dan Burden is a fan of road diets, noting that they improve road safety and may help prevent Fort Lauderdale bicycle accidents and Florida traffic accidents.

8) Roundabouts. These round intersections separate pedestrians from traffic entirely, by having pedestrians stay one car length outside of the intersection. When crossing this type of intersection, pedestrians only face oncoming traffic from one area and traffic is slowed down significantly in roundabouts, which could also reduce the risk of Fort Lauderdale traffic accidents.

9) An improved pedestrian network, including wayfinding systems and better walking access points to public transit. In some cases, Fort Lauderdale pedestrian accidents occur simply because pedestrians do not have safe areas to walk. For example, some neighborhoods do not have adequate sidewalks.

Continue reading →

The U.S. Department of Transportation will be launching initiatives to prevent backover accidents and the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has already been spending money and efforts on the issue. Backover accidents are one of the most devastating accidents, because they so often affect small children. These types of Miami car accidents occur when a driver reverses and accidentally hits or injures someone standing behind the car. In many cases, the injured are children. Since they are often small, they may be easy for a driver to miss, even if the driver is looking. According to experts, there are many things that parents can do to prevent backover Miami traffic accidents:

1) Teach your child to never play near or behind cars and trucks. One of the big problems with many backover accidents is that they affect children who are playing behind trucks or cars. It is important to teach children a healthy respect for all vehicles from an early age to help prevent Miami truck accidents and car accidents. Avoid having basketball nets and other sports equipment in the driveway as well – move it to the back yard as possible. Do not let children play in the driveway and be sure to teach them to stay well away from the rear or cars and trucks.

2) When reserving, check blind spots carefully. Make it a habit to look behind you and check your mirrors. Many drivers simply ease into reverse and pull back, especially if they realize they have forgotten something. This can be a deadly mistake – one that easily leads to a Miami pedestrian accident. Make it a point to check blind spots each time you reverse.

3) Invest in a backup cameras. The NHTSA will make the cameras mandatory on all new vehicles by 2014, but in the meantime all car owners can install them for a few hundred dollars. Backup cameras allow you to see the entire area behind your car, and many experts consider them one of the best options for preventing backup car accidents. Even if you check blind spots by turning around in your car seat, the rear end of the vehicle constitutes a huge blind spots. Even if you check for blind spots, there is enough room behind a car to hide multiple children if the children are not standing up. If a child is playing behind the car or sitting down, there is no way to see that child without a backup camera.

In many cases, backup Miami car collisions cause serious injuries. Since they largely affect children and since children are smaller, children often absorb the impact of the car to the head and chest area. Even if a car is reversing at low speeds, the Miami head injuries sustained to a child in manner can prove fatal. Each year, children do die due to injuries sustained in these types of accidents.

Continue reading →