For pedestrians, the road can be especially dangerous. Not only do some drivers fail to recognize their presence, but accidents can be very tragic when they do occur. After all, pedestrians involved in an accident are often directly struck by vehicles and it is crucial for people to understand how many lives are lost in pedestrian accidents. If you are a pedestrian or a driver in Providence, Rhode Island, or anywhere else in the United States, accident prevention should be a top priority.
A fact sheet that was published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration sheds light on pedestrian fatalities across the U.S. According to the data, 4,735 people died in a pedestrian accident in 2013. Furthermore, traffic accidents claimed a pedestrian's life every two hours in 2013, on average. From 2004 to 2013, more than 4,000 pedestrians died in a traffic accident each year. Additional statistics from 2013 reveal that over the course of the year, pedestrian deaths were more likely to occur in an urban area than in a rural area, a non-intersection than an intersection and in the dark than during daylight hours.
In recent years, pedestrian fatalities have accounted for a higher percentage of overall traffic crash fatalities in America. In 2004, pedestrian deaths accounted for 11 percent of traffic accident fatalities, whereas pedestrian fatalities accounted for 14 percent of traffic accident fatalities in 2013. Whether you are a driver or pedestrian, it is helpful to understand factors that may contribute to a fatal pedestrian accident and remain focused on road safety.
