New Study Highlights Nationwide Increase in Pedestrian Accidents

A recent study has highlighted something that we've known for quite some time - distracted driving accidents are on the rise.  More worrisome, however, is the fact that the increase in accidents (a three decade high) involves auto-pedestrian accidents - accidents where a pedestrian is struck by a car.

The Governor's Highway Safety Association study, highlighted in The Guardian, estimates that more than 6,000 pedestrians per year are killed in accidents, some 17 per day.  While some of the typical factors are involved: alcohol/drugs, speed, road lighting; it's distracted driving that is seen as the major culprit in the increase nationally.

Many cities, including New York City, have signed on to a network called "Vision Zero", a non-profit which works with cities in designing safer roadways to accommodate what it views as natural human behavior.

Distracted driving is increasing.

While we continue to hear talk about driverless cars, reality is that it will be many years before they are ubiquitous enough to make significant changes in safety outside of major cities.  In the meantime, parents and families in Saratoga Springs and the Capital Region must continue to be aware of the risks of distracted driving, and must continue to educate their children and loved ones about what can happen when you try to respond to a text while driving 30,40,50 mph or more.

We've talked before about the distance a vehicle travels during the time when a driver looks down to check his phone.  By highlighting the reality that the problem is increasing nationwide, we hope others will join in educating their friends, families and neighbors about this epidemic.

If you have questions about a distracted driving accident, contact us today.