Articles Posted in Pedestrians

A 68-year-old woman died earlier this week, in a Bridgewater, MA pedestrian accident. Roberta Harris was struck by a van while crossing the street on Monday morning.

According to police, the Ford van that hit Harris was turning out of a Walgreens parking lot when the incident happened. She was in the road when the van hit her. The incident remains under investigation.

A day after, another pedestrian, this time in Lowell, were also struck in a fatal Massachusetts pedestrian accident. The victims, a 79-year-old resident, was trying to cross Pawtucket Blvd. The driver of the vehicle was another senior, age 69.

Rising fuel prices and warmer temperatures are feeding an increase in pedestrian traffic through the upcoming summer months. Boston is a famously walkable city, as are many scenic cities and towns throughout the Commonwealth. Though crosswalks and warning lights help to keep pedestrians safe, drivers and walkers still face a significant amount of danger when they intersect. Smart Growth America recently published extensive data outlining pedestrian safety by Massachusetts counties and metro areas between the years 2003-2012.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that traffic fatalities increased in 2012 (the most recent year in which data is available) for the first time since 2005. For the third straight year, pedestrian fatalities have risen significantly on a national level. Smart Growth America’s Massachusetts data provides insight into specific categories and ways in which the state can make life-saving improvements in pedestrian safety.
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The driver involved in suspected hit-and-run crash in Leominster has been found and arrested according to local police. Daniel Brand, 34 was charged with leaving the scene of an accident and intimidating a witness when he turned himself in on Friday. His arrest stems from an accident in which Brand allegedly hit a teenager riding his bike and left the scene without stopping. The bike was dragged under the car for about a mile before the driver was seen tossing it over a fence in an effort to cover up evidence.

Sixteen-year-old Joshua Carillo was riding his bike along Route 12 in Leominster last Monday night when he was struck hard by a driver in a Honda sedan, leaving him with two broken legs. Understandably, Joshua’s mother was very upset and publically pleaded with the driver to do the right thing and come forward.
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Three individuals were struck by a car and injured in Logan Airport’s Terminal C drop-off and pick-up area last week.

According to Massachusetts State Police, the incident occurred around 4:30 p.m. Wednesday afternoon when a 1995 Lexus being driven by Erin Bringham, 53, jumped the curb. One of the victims suffered life-threatening injuries. No updates on the other victims have been provided, and the cause of the accident remains under investigation.

PEDESTRIAN ACCIDENTS

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that more than 4,000 pedestrians are killed each year in the United States; representing about 3% of all fatal auto-related incidents. A majority of these pedestrian accidents occur in urban areas where high volume automobile and pedestrian traffic is inevitable. In fact, nearly three-quarters of all pedestrian accidents occur in city settings; typically during nighttime hours.

Often these types of accidents are caused when pedestrians and drivers do not obey laws and signals. In fact, only 60% of pedestrians said they expected drivers to stop when they were in crosswalks, even though they have the right-of-way. Additionally, both pedestrians and drivers frequently use cell phones and music players; a major distraction while walking or driving.
Pedestrian car accidents are entirely preventable, if both pedestrians and drivers obey the laws of the road. Here are a few safety tips for both drivers and pedestrians to stay safe:

Pedestrians:

– Wear lightly colored or reflective clothing and carry a flashlight while walking at night.
– Use crosswalks when crossing the street. If a crosswalk is unavailable, be sure to find a well-lit spot on the road to cross and wait for a long enough gap in traffic to make it safely across the street.
– If possible, make eye contact with the driver in a stopped vehicle to ensure that they have seen you before you cross in front of them.
– Stay on sidewalks whenever possible. If a sidewalk is not available, but sure to walk on the far side of the road that is facing traffic. This will help increase your visibility to the drivers on the road.
– Avoid distractions such as looking down at your cell phone or playing music too loud while wearing headphones. Remember that your eyes and ears are the best tools you have to keep yourself safe.
– Know and follow all traffic rules, signs and signals, and anticipate what drivers may do.
– NEVER assume a driver will give you the right of way.
– Avoid walking along highways or other roadway where pedestrians are prohibited.
– Avoid alcohol consumption

Drivers:

– Be alert while operating your vehicle and avoid distractions such as electronic devices.
– Be constantly vigilant of pedestrians – Follow posted speed limits at all times, especially in areas with heavy pedestrian traffic.
– Be extra cautions while driving in poor visibility, such as a night, during heavy rainfall, fog, and snow. Remember, that it will be equally as difficult for pedestrians to see drivers, too.
– Be mindful of pedestrians when pulling out of, into, and backing out of driveways. Pedestrians can easily enter your path without your knowledge while you are backing up.
– Be vigilant near crosswalks, and always yield to pedestrians standing in a crosswalk-It’s the law.
– If you approach a vehicle stopped at a crosswalk, do not try to pass them.
– DO NOT drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
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Boston police are searching for a suspect after a fatal hit-and-run accident in Dorchester this week.

In a statement to media, police said that a man was struck by a green, four-door Toyota along Dorchester Avenue Tuesday night. Anyone with any information about the accident is urged to call Boston Police.

This is the second pedestrian accident to occur in Boston over the course of one week. On Sunday, three Brandeis University students were struck by a car on South Street in Waltham, MA. The students were all taken to Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, and were listed in stable condition.

According to police, the students were walking in a crosswalk at the time of the incident. The driver involved in the crash did however remain at the scene until police and emergency responders arrived.

Each year more than 4,000 pedestrians are killed according to the National Highway Traffic Administration. In fact, pedestrian accidents represent 3% of all fatal auto-related incidents in the United States. Most hit-and-run accidents occur in urban areas where there is a high volume of both automobile and pedestrian traffic. 73% of all pedestrian accidents occur in city settings, and typically these types of accidents occur during nighttime hours. Driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, speeding and reckless driving, and distracted driving by motor vehicle operators are the most common factors that cause pedestrian accidents. About 20% of drivers involved in pedestrian accidents flee the scene according to the NHTSA.
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State and local police are investigating a deadly hit and run that occurred in Uxbridge last weekend.

According to officials, an Uxbridge man, 53, was struck while he was walking on the side of the road on Sunday evening. Police suspect he was struck by a tractor trailer. The driver of a tractor trailer who had driven through the town had heard reports of the accident, and came forward to say he may have struck the man. The driver reported he thought he had struck something, however when he went to check, he did not see anything. Police are still questioning whether the driver was involved and investigating the incident.

Pedestrian traffic accidents account for more than 13% of all traffic-related fatalities and 3% of all personal injuries caused by motor vehicle accidents. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) a pedestrian is injured every eight minutes and one pedestrian dies every two hours as the result of a traffic accident in the United States. Approximately 20% of all pedestrian car accidents according to the NHTSA, are also hit-and-run accidents. While we do not have much information about this particular incident, what can be assumed is that this young lady was walking during the early morning hours; at a time where there was minimal daylight.

In order to prevent an accident and keep themselves visible to motorists, pedestrians should always:

-Wear bright or reflective clothing and carry a flashlight when walking during the early hours of the morning, at dusk, or at night.

-Walk on sidewalks (whenever possible) and walk against the traffic when there are no sidewalks.

-Cross at designated crosswalks whenever possible.

Drivers can prevent pedestrian accidents by:

-Yielding to the right-of-way to pedestrians crossing streets in marked or unmarked crosswalks. 

-Yielding to pedestrians while turning at intersections or onto another street.

-Being vigilant and aware of pedestrians walking at night, when it is dark out.

-Slowing near major crosswalks.

Pedestrians are incredibly vulnerable during accidents, because unlike motorists, they have no physical barriers to protect themselves. Boston and the surrounding Massachusetts communities are filled with activity and traffic that pose serious threats to pedestrians’ safety. Broken bones, severe cuts and bruises, skin burns, spinal cord injuries, brain injuries, and even death are common injuries of pedestrian accidents.
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