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Los Angeles Road Safety for Pedestrians Rates Horribly

Road safety for pedestrians is a big concern in the United States. Three out of every 100,000 pedestrians are killed in traffic accidents.  In Los Angeles, 7.64 out of every 100,000 pedestrians are killed in this manner.  It’s hard to ask for more proof that the City of Angels is deadly for pedestrians.

These figures should come as no surprise to Los Angeles pedestrian accident lawyers.  Los Angeles has always been one of the most dangerous places for pedestrians.  The city was planned for use by automobiles, and it’s too much to expect that bicycle travel will take off in Los Angeles like it has in other cities around the country or in Europe.  However, there’s much that can be done to ensure that both pedestrians and motorists share the roads without danger to pedestrians.

There are some signs that Los Angeles city officials are taking pedestrian security more seriously.  A five-year plan aims to replace every walk signal with LED lit pedestrian countdown signals.  This week, the Los Angeles-based Apartment officers will conduct a crosswalk enforcement operation near the Cal State Northridge.  The operation will involve plainclothes officers entering a crosswalk to crack down on motorists who fail to yield to pedestrians.  Drivers who fail to yield to pedestrians will be cited during the enforcement.  This kind of sting operation can be very successful in identifying motorists who fail to respect basic pedestrian rights.

While enforcement actions like these are welcome, we need many more of these operations.  We also need enhanced education and awareness programs for motorists.  For instance, motorists are required to stop for pedestrians whenever they see a pedestrian trying to cross the road, even if it is not on a designated crosswalk.

There are other threats to road safety for pedestrians in Los Angeles.  The biggest threat comes from distracted motorists.  In a city where motorists are less inclined to notice pedestrians and respect their rights, pedestrians are at a higher danger when the same drivers are distracted at the wheel.  Cell phone use and texting while driving ensures that a person’s attention is drawn away from the road, and from pedestrians trying to cross the road.  Distracted driving is a serious threat not just to motorist safety, but also to the safety of innocent pedestrians who are at the highest risk of injury or fatality when they are involved in an accident.  Besides, the city of Los Angeles has been experimenting with increasing speed limits in several areas.  That isn’t good news for pedestrians either.

In a city with the kind of vehicular traffic that Los Angeles has, pedestrians should do as much as they can to stay visible and stay safe.  Stay alert at all times while walking.  Avoid distractions, like listening to your iPod or portable MP3 player.  If you’re walking at night, dress in bright reflective clothing.  Always cross at marked and designated crosswalks, even if you have to walk some distance to do so.

The Reeves Law Group is a law firm with offices throughout California dedicated exclusively to the representation of personal injury victims, including victims of pedestrian accidents. Please visit our website at http://www.robertreeveslaw.com/. If you desire a free consultation on a personal injury matter, please call us at (800) 644-8000 or email us at contact@robertreeveslaw.com.

The Reeves Law Group is not representing any party in the matters discussed in this posting.

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