In Texas, auto accidents are a constant worry. Particularly at risk are pedestrians, bicyclists and others who do not have the protection of a vehicle of their own. They have a greater vulnerability to catastrophic injuries and loss of life.
Recently, the concern was exacerbated with a report released by the Governors Highway Safety Association. It presents sobering statistics regarding pedestrians and the increased danger they are confronted with when they take to the road in Texas and across the nation.
Pedestrian deaths are the worst since 1981
The GHSA report says that pedestrian fatalities are at their highest level in over four decades. From 1980 through 2010, there was a marked improvement in road safety across the board. Unfortunately, from 2010 to the present, accidents rose significantly.
This was exemplified during the national crisis when people had empty roadways, law enforcement was less vigilant about stopping drivers who behaved recklessly and speeding became a major problem. It is believed that the uptick is directly linked to distracted driving sparked by cellphones with greater capabilities to stay connected.
In 2022, there were 828 pedestrian fatalities. This was a slight improvement over 2021 when there were 843 such fatalities. A representative from the Texas Department of Transportation mentions the increase of people buying larger and heavier vehicles like SUVs and pickups. This jeopardizes pedestrians. It is harder to see over the dashboard and the impact is worse, leading to more severe injuries.
People are right to be concerned about pedestrian safety
In Southlake and the nearby areas, any motor vehicle accident can be a challenge, but pedestrian collisions are far worse. People are keenly aware of the possible problems they might face if they are injured or lose a loved one in this type of crash.
Simply going to the store, heading to work or being out on a leisure activity can suddenly end with a hospital stay, massive medical expenses, an inability to work and a family confronted with an uncertain future in every way. To recover for all that was lost, it is imperative to know the options and to ensure that those who were responsible for the accident are held accountable.
