Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents

Pedestrians are the most vulnerable victims of car accidents—unlike drivers, they are entirely unprotected. While many removable, collapsible and fixed traffic barriers help protect pedestrians from vehicles every day, preventable accidents still happen, with a variety of causes responsible for injuries or deaths. Each year, approximately 70,000 pedestrians are injured in car accidents while over 4,000 die. There are several factors that cause pedestrian accidents, some of which are preventable with the use of strategic traffic barrier systems.

Unmarked Crosswalks

One of the most common factors in pedestrian accidents is the presence of unmarked crossing sections. Drivers may not expect pedestrians to cross in certain locations, particularly in parking lots, where they are preoccupied with finding a parking space. Nearby signs, traffic bollards and painted road crossings help indicate where pedestrians have the right of way.

Sharing Pedestrian Sidewalks with Bikes

Many accidents involve bikes riding on sidewalks, hitting pedestrians or forcing them to walk near or on the street, where drivers may hit them. Designated bike paths help keep pedestrians and cyclists separate from one another, and traffic barriers beside the path also help keep bikes from being hit by vehicles.

Dark Clothing

Pedestrians who wear dark clothing in the evening and at night are much more likely to remain unseen by drivers while walking, which makes it important for people to wear light or even reflective clothing before going for walks.

Quiet Cars

As car technology continues to develop, newer models including hybrids utilize quieter engines, which may make it harder for pedestrians to hear cars coming. Drivers of these vehicles should do what they can to let nearby pedestrians know they are there, like driving with daytime running lights on. While some of the factors leading to pedestrian accidents are more difficult to prevent than others, the right safety measures can protect both pedestrians and drivers. One of the oldest and most common modern methods is the use of traffic barriers, including removable, fixed and collapsible bollards—installing these in your parking lot or along a streetscape can help prevent accidents and injuries.