Pedestrian accidents can be sudden, devastating, and, in some instances, preventable. However, every year, thousands of pedestrians are injured or killed in traffic incidents across Florida.
These accidents most commonly occur in urban areas, particularly at crosswalks and intersections where pedestrian and vehicle traffic intersect. However, understanding the common causes of pedestrian accidents is a critical step towards reducing these tragic incidents.
In this blog, we will explore the primary cause of pedestrian accidents by providing insights into other contributing factors, and specifically examining trends in Florida, a state with a notably higher rate of pedestrian-related injuries and deaths.
What Is the Most Common Cause of a Pedestrian Accident?
According to expert pedestrian accident attorneys from Abercrombie P.A., the most common causes of pedestrian accidents in Florida are driver inattentiveness or distraction, whether it’s a driver texting, talking on the phone, adjusting the radio, or not paying attention to the road at all. Distracted driving accounts for a vast number of pedestrian injuries and fatalities.
When drivers fail to notice pedestrians, especially at the crosswalks, intersections, and during turns, it significantly increases the risk of a collision.
Some of the examples of distracted driving that mostly lead to pedestrian accidents include those of
- Looking always at the phone instead of the road
- Eating or drinking while driving
- Even adjusting the navigation systems or in-car entertainment
- Daydreaming or zoning out while driving
However, a momentary lapse in attention mostly leads to devastating outcomes when pedestrians are involved.
What are the Other Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents
At times, driver distraction does top the list, but it is far from being the only contributing factor. There are other causes of pedestrian accidents that occur frequently across Florida.
Failure to Yield the Right of Way
However, drivers are primarily obligated to yield to pedestrians at crosswalks; however, this law is often ignored or misunderstood. Most pedestrian accidents occur when a vehicle makes a sudden turn at an intersection and fails to check for pedestrians crossing the road.
Speeding
At times, higher vehicle speeds do reduce a driver’s ability to stop quickly in an emergency. The faster a car is going, the less time a driver has to react, and the more severe the injuries when a crash occurs.
Driving Under the Influence (DUI)
The common causes of pedestrian accidents are alcohol and drug impairment, which affect a driver’s judgment, reaction time, and motor skills.
Even intoxicated drivers are much more likely to overlook a pedestrian, especially in low-visibility conditions like nighttime or bad weather.
Poor Visibility and Nighttime Driving
Generally, most pedestrian accidents occur at nighttime, when visibility is reduced and drivers may have difficulty seeing someone crossing the street, especially if the pedestrian is wearing dark clothing in a well-lit area.
Jaywalking and Unsafe Pedestrian Behaviour
Most pedestrian accidents occur due to the fault of the drivers. Sometimes it is the pedestrian who crosses streets illegally, outside of designated crosswalks or darts into the traffic suddenly.
This abnormal behaviour puts them at serious risk, especially if drivers aren’t expecting a pedestrian in that specific area.
Poor Infrastructure or Lack of Crosswalks
In certain areas, the road design mainly contributes to pedestrian risk. Poorly marked crosswalks, missing sidewalks, and inadequate lighting do increase the chances of an accident.
Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in Florida
The state of Florida is consistently ranked among the most dangerous states for pedestrians, with cities like Orlando, Tampa, and Miami that frequently top the national lists for pedestrian injuries and deaths.
What are the most common causes of pedestrian accidents in Florida?
High Urban Density
The larger cities of Florida mostly have a massive volume of both foot and vehicle traffic, which increases the likelihood of interaction and rising conflict between pedestrians and vehicles.
Tourism and Unfamiliar Drivers
As millions of tourists visit Florida each year, most drivers remain unfamiliar with local roads and traffic patterns. This confusion does lead to sudden stops, erratic driving, and missed crosswalks. All these are dangerous for pedestrians.
Warm Weather and More Foot Traffic
Furthermore, Florida’s year-round warm weather means that more people walk throughout the year compared to colder states. Therefore, with more pedestrians comes a greater risk, especially in areas that are not designed with pedestrian safety in mind.
Aging Population
Florida has a large senior population, many of whom may walk more slowly or have impaired mobility. This increases their vulnerability, especially in areas where crossing signals never allow sufficient time to cross.
How to Prevent Pedestrian Accidents
Furthermore, understanding the causes of pedestrian accidents is the initial step. Preventing it requires action from both drivers and pedestrians:
For Drivers:
- Always try to stay alert and avoid distractions
- Yield to pedestrians at crosswalks and intersections
- Sudden slowdown in the pedestrian-heavy areas, especially at night
- Never drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol
For Pedestrians:
- Do use crosswalks and obey the traffic signals
- Make straight-forward eye contact with drivers before crossing
- Always wear bright or reflective clothing at night
- Do avoid distractions like phones or earbuds while walking near traffic
Concluding Thought
According to this blog from Abercrombie, P.A., what are the most common causes of pedestrian accidents? The answer is crystal clear: distracted driving. However, that is just one piece of a much larger puzzle. From speeding and poor visibility to jaywalking and outdated infrastructure, most factors contribute to these dangerous incidents.
In certain high-risk states, such as Florida, understanding the common causes of pedestrian accidents is particularly essential for both residents and visitors. Thus, by staying aware, following traffic laws, and prioritising safety, we can definitely reduce the number of these avoidable accidents and save lives in the process.
