Spring is in the air in Connecticut and throughout the country, which means more people will be getting outside to walk, jog or bike for exercise and transportation needs. While it can feel great to get out and enjoy the warming weather this spring, the sad reality is that the coming of spring also means more pedestrians will be injured in car collisions. Will this spring be any different? Will drivers finally be on the lookout for pedestrians this year?
Despite some of the best efforts of governmental and non-profit entities, there doesn’t seem to be much of a rise in awareness among drivers about the danger that automobiles present to pedestrians on the streets and highways of Connecticut. In fact, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration statistics show that in one recent year – 2015 – the number of pedestrians who died in collisions with motor vehicles actually increased.
Drivers are seemingly more distracted than ever before, and pedestrians may be just one group that is paying the price. Pedestrians need to do their best to be alert for traffic in their surroundings, even though they will typically have the right-of-way.
Furthermore, NHTSA statistics can show pedestrians when to have an even more heightened sense of awareness. According to the NHTSA, the time of day with the highest percentage of fatalities for pedestrians is in the evening, from about 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. So, if Connecticut residents are going out for an evening walk or jog after work, they should be sure to be on the lookout for drivers who may present a danger. Any pedestrian who is injured in a collision may need to explore the potential legal options.
