With what may have felt like a crazy winter to many people in Georgia, spring has finally begun to arrive. This often encourages more people to be outside and enjoying the temperate weather before the heat and humidity of summer sets in. While this can be good for people’s health, especially if they are active when outside, it can also be dangerous to their health when they must be on roads or sidewalks next to vehicles.
According to data released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 2017 was a particularly deadly year for pedestrians in Georgia. With 253 fatalities that year alone, it recorded more pedestrian deaths in the state in at least a decade. In 2016, there were 232 pedestrians killed and in 2015, another 194 people on foot lost their lives in motor vehicle accidents.
Ped Bike Info recommends that people on foot take safety into their own matters as much as they can. This means ensuring they are always visible to motorists. Bright clothing, lights and reflective gear can be important even in the daylight. Walking on sidewalks or against traffic where there are no sidewalks is important. When crossing streets, people should attempt to make eye contact with drivers before stepping out, even if there is a designated crosswalk.
If you would like to learn more about how you or someone you know can get help after being involved in an accident involving a negligent driver, please feel free to visit the pedestrian accident page of our Georgia personal injury website.
