Nashville Police Offer Pedestrian Safety Tips
Nashville Metro police are stressing pedestrian safety and the importance of avoiding situations that could cause accidents. So far this year, sixteen pedestrians have been killed in accidents involving a vehicle. In one case, a pedestrian was hit at night by a car with the headlights off when he was not crossing the street in a crosswalk. In another, a pedestrian was killed by a truck that did not stop.
The Nashville police want to avoid further pedestrian deaths and are suggesting tips to help. Reflective armbands are available for sale in some stores and online for only a couple of dollars and larger reflective bands can be purchased for use around the waist or shoulder. This is only one of many inexpensive items that pedestrians can purchase to increase their safety while walking on or near the roads. Other items that can help with pedestrian safety include reflective stickers and flashing reflective bands with Velcro straps.
Police have said that the top factors in pedestrian fatalities in Tennessee include failure to be seen by drivers and carelessly crossing the street. “In almost every one of our fatality crashes, the contributing factor is a pedestrian outside of a crosswalk.” This state has seen a surge in pedestrian deaths over the last few years and is trying to be proactive in order to prevent future accidents. Authorities also recommend that pedestrians watch where they are walking instead of looking at their smart phones, and drivers are advised to scan the area around where they drive instead of looking straight ahead.
Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents
As of the end of September this year, the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security reported a total of 882 pedestrians and 59 other pedestrians – people in or on pedestrian conveyances and buildings, skateboard riders, people on roller skates, and sled riders – have been involved in an accident this year. Those numbers do not even include parking lot and private property accidents or pedestrian crashes that involved less than $400 in damage.
Pedestrian accidents often involve an unsuspecting person who is struck by a vehicle. Many accidents are the result of negligent actions or omissions made by the driver. Some of the most common causes of pedestrian accidents include:
- Failure to check crosswalks;
- Failing to stop at stoplights or signs;
- Texting while driving;
- Other distracted driving;
- Failure to check before making a turn;
- Speeding;
- Driving under the influence;
…and other dangerous driving habits that lead to accidents with pedestrians.
Contact a Nashville Personal Injury Lawyer Today
Walking is a basic part of what people do every day, yet most drivers fail to see when pedestrians are crossing or near the road. If you or someone that you know has been injured or killed in a pedestrian accident with a vehicle in the Nashville area, let the personal injury lawyers at Calhoun Law, PLC help. Call or contact the office today for a free and confidential consultation of your case.