Pedestrian safety has become a huge concern in most of the urban areas. Every year, we see countless pedestrians losing their lives or getting injured for things that aren’t under their control.
According to the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), 9,188 pedestrians died in traffic or non-traffic accidents in 2022. Another report stated that 84% of pedestrian traffic deaths happened in urban areas in 2022.
These numbers highlight the increase in pedestrian accidents, especially in urban areas, and the importance of improving safety measures.
More importantly, crosswalk visibility issues are something that has caused the majority of these accidents. Hence, important steps need to be taken to reduce these injuries.
In this article, we will look at why and how improving crosswalk visibility can reduce these pedestrian injuries.
The Problem of Pedestrian Crosswalk Visibility
Unfortunately, clear visibility is often the missing piece in the puzzle when it comes to pedestrian accidents. According to a report by the City of Portland, a staggering 49% of pedestrian crashes take place in low-light scenarios.
This stat highlights the importance of visibility and its role in pedestrian accident risks and injuries. Hence, let us decode the important factors that affect crosswalk visibility.
Lighting
Poor lighting, especially at night or during sunrise and sunset makes it hard for drivers to see pedestrians walking in front of them. The reasons could be due to the lack of streetlights, the shadows from the trees or buildings, etc.
A recent study suggests that the use of roadway lighting can reduce pedestrian crash frequency at night by 44%. It shows how important lighting is to improving pedestrian safety and crosswalk visibility.
Weather
This is another important factor when it comes to poor crosswalk visibility. During winter, autumn, and rainy seasons when the weather is unfavorable, visibility becomes an issue. It could be due to dense fog cover, excessive snowfall, or heavy rain that blinds the driver.
These are the times when the drivers fail to see pedestrians crossing the street. Ultimately, they become the reason for pedestrian accidents and injuries. The other important thing we need to consider is less visibility reduces the driver’s reaction time. This will further increase the risk of collision.
Additionally, wet roads caused by rain or snow can reflect headlights and create blinding glare which could distract drivers. These glares could become a distraction to the driver’s visibility.
Obstructions
Parked cars, bus shelters, and even street signs can become the reason for obstruction and limited visibility. These obstacles prevent drivers from seeing pedestrians who are trying to cross. They also block their vision and don’t let them see the passing traffic.
The Impact of Improved Crosswalk Visibility
Improving crosswalk visibility can help both pedestrians and drivers to a great extent. When it comes to pedestrians, it increases their confidence when crossing the street. They will feel more assured than before and can judge passing traffic more accurately.
At the same time, drivers will also benefit from improved visibility because the pedestrians become more visible. Additionally, they will have more time to react and reduce accident risks. This will help them anticipate the pedestrians’s next move and be more cautious when driving.
However, things can go wrong with poor crosswalk visibility. For example, in a recent incident in Chicago, a nine-year-old pedestrian was severely injured. She was injured in a hit-and-run car accident that happened on the city’s South Side at around 8:40 PM.
Although the reason for the accident hasn’t been disclosed, the timing of the incident suggests poor crosswalk visibility could have been a huge factor. Moreover, the driver not stopping at a red light is another sign of poor visibility. If the crosswalk had better lighting and visibility, the driver might have had a clearer view of the young girl. This could have potentially avoided the collision.
All in all, this case highlights the immediate need for an improvement in crosswalk safety measures, especially during low light conditions.
Following a disaster like this, victims and their families often face financial difficulties and issues in handling legal issues on their own. In situations like these where dealing with legalities and seeking justice become difficult, consulting a personal injury lawyer can be helpful.
A skilled lawyer can help families understand their rights, collect the necessary evidence, and try to get compensation for all the medical expenses involved, lost pay, etc. Moreover, according to TorHoerman Law, a personal injury case involves a lot of steps that require a lot of focus and attention.
Therefore, make sure to contact a personal injury lawyer in Chicago, if you are one of those unfortunate pedestrian accident victims from Chicago.
Effective Strategies for Enhancing Crosswalk Visibility
High-Visibility Crosswalk Markings
Making use of bright, reflective materials and unique, distinctive patterns can increase crosswalk visibility. However, the changes made should be easily visible to both pedestrians and drivers for it to be effective under various lighting conditions.
Adequate Lighting
Properly placed and well-maintained street lights always play a big role when it comes to reducing the risk of pedestrian accidents. This is especially true during early morning or late evening when the visibility is low.
Research confirms that crosswalks are most useful at night when they’re well-lit along with signs warning drivers. This combination increases pedestrian visibility and awareness, which makes crossings safer.
Additionally, pedestrian-activated warning signs or flashing lights can improve visibility and alert drivers when pedestrians are around.
Getting Rid of Obstacles
Clearing lines of sight by moving parked cars, and other obstacles is key to improving crosswalk visibility. For this to happen, proper urban planning along with the implementation of parking rules are important. This will surely help in safer crosswalks.
Proper Signs and Pavement Markings
Clear and consistent signs like warning signs and pedestrian crossing symbols can help drivers and pedestrians stay alert. Pavement markings, including countdown timers and zebra stripes, can further increase visibility and understanding.
Better crosswalk visibility prevents pedestrian injuries and improves safety. We need to make use of effective strategies like high-visibility signs, sufficient lighting, etc that can largely reduce pedestrian accident risks.
Additionally, policymakers, city planners, and community members also have their part to play in improving crosswalk safety.
Investing in crosswalk visibility is not just an infrastructure upgrade; it’s an investment in people’s safety. Hence, let’s come together and create an environment where pedestrians feel safe and protected.