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Friday, October 31, 2008
Pedestrian Fatalities: When, Who & Why
Let's look at more facts about pedestrian crash fatalities in the United States.
When does it happen?
Every 107 minutes a pedestrian dies from a crash. On average, a pedestrian is struck every 12 minutes, every day.
New Year’s Day and Halloween account for the highest number of pedestrian fatalities, consistently 20%. The third day has changed from December 23 to December 1. October, November and December account for 32% of all pedestrian crashes.
Weekends are deadliest for pedestrians. More than 45% of all pedestrian crashes occur on Friday, Saturday and Sunday with nearly 18% occurring on Saturday.
Three hours pedestrians should stay off the road are 6-9 p.m., when 25% of the deaths occur. Another 21% happen between 9 p.m. and midnight. Only 6% happen between 9 a.m. and noon. Darkness is considered the number one factor.
Who gets killed?
More than 33,000 men were killed. Even though men represent 49% of the American population, they are killed in pedestrian crashes 69% of the time.
60% of pedestrians killed are white and 15% black. American Indian, Pacific Islanders and Asian represent another 5%. 19% of the deaths were determined to be of unknown race, based on corresponding death certificates.
Contrary to public perception, children under 16 only account for 10% of pedestrian deaths each year, even though children make up 21% of the American population.
People over 65 represent 13% of the population, yet represent 21% of the pedestrian fatalities. Different factors cited in this anomaly are frailty, poorer mobility and poorer eyesight.
Why does it happen?
In most cases, the pedestrian has to bear some of the blame for the crash. Their actions are represented by the following statistics:
Percentage/Action
27.3 Improperly crossed the street
25.4 Walked against the traffic flow
13.9 Failed to yield the right of way
12.1 Darted into the flow of traffic
9.8 Not visible to the driver
2.6 Were inattentive to traffic
1.5 Failed to obey traffic control
More than one-fourth of the deaths occurred because the pedestrian crossed the street improperly. Another fourth of all pedestrian deaths were attributed to walking, working or playing near the road. Nearly 14% of the crashes were caused by the pedestrian failing to yield to the vehicle.
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When does it happen?
Every 107 minutes a pedestrian dies from a crash. On average, a pedestrian is struck every 12 minutes, every day.
New Year’s Day and Halloween account for the highest number of pedestrian fatalities, consistently 20%. The third day has changed from December 23 to December 1. October, November and December account for 32% of all pedestrian crashes.
Weekends are deadliest for pedestrians. More than 45% of all pedestrian crashes occur on Friday, Saturday and Sunday with nearly 18% occurring on Saturday.
Three hours pedestrians should stay off the road are 6-9 p.m., when 25% of the deaths occur. Another 21% happen between 9 p.m. and midnight. Only 6% happen between 9 a.m. and noon. Darkness is considered the number one factor.
Who gets killed?
More than 33,000 men were killed. Even though men represent 49% of the American population, they are killed in pedestrian crashes 69% of the time.
60% of pedestrians killed are white and 15% black. American Indian, Pacific Islanders and Asian represent another 5%. 19% of the deaths were determined to be of unknown race, based on corresponding death certificates.
Contrary to public perception, children under 16 only account for 10% of pedestrian deaths each year, even though children make up 21% of the American population.
People over 65 represent 13% of the population, yet represent 21% of the pedestrian fatalities. Different factors cited in this anomaly are frailty, poorer mobility and poorer eyesight.
Why does it happen?
In most cases, the pedestrian has to bear some of the blame for the crash. Their actions are represented by the following statistics:
Percentage/Action
27.3 Improperly crossed the street
25.4 Walked against the traffic flow
13.9 Failed to yield the right of way
12.1 Darted into the flow of traffic
9.8 Not visible to the driver
2.6 Were inattentive to traffic
1.5 Failed to obey traffic control
More than one-fourth of the deaths occurred because the pedestrian crossed the street improperly. Another fourth of all pedestrian deaths were attributed to walking, working or playing near the road. Nearly 14% of the crashes were caused by the pedestrian failing to yield to the vehicle.
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Thursday, October 30, 2008
Pedestrian Fatalities: On the decrease & Where
What do New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, Phoenix and Houston have in common? More pedestrian deaths than all other cities in the United States.
Pedestrian deaths are on the decline. The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration commissioned a ten year study to examine the trends in crashes resulting in pedestrian deaths.
Twelve percent of all vehicle crash deaths are pedestrians. This means they are not occupants of a vehicle, motorcycle riders or bicycle riders: they are on foot.
The study, authored by Dow Chang, Ph.D. and P.E., revealed trends in those killed and the conditions under which they were killed.
A look at the numbers
Between 1997 and 2007, the number of pedestrian deaths decreased from 5,321 to 4,784, representing a decrease of nearly 10%. Pedestrians are the only group of people whose fatality statistics have declined. They represent 12% of all fatalities in vehicle crashes.
While this sounds like good news, the chances of being killed has increased. In 1997, the chances a pedestrian would be killed in a crash was 5.3%. By 2006, that chance increased to 7.1%.
What did not change over the decade was the number of pedestrians killed in single vehicle crashes. Ten times more pedestrians are killed each year by single vehicles than those killed by multiple car crashes.
Where does it happen?
You already read about the top five cities, but there is more. Cities do account for 67% of the fatalities, but 87% of the cities in the United States do not report any fatalities. More than 90% of the cities which did have fatalities had nine or fewer. Less than 1% of cities had over 100 pedestrian fatalities.
Pedestrians are not being killed on the Interstate highway system, which forbids pedestrian travel. Nor are they on interstate highway roads (10%) or expressways (only 4%), instead 51% of pedestrians are killed on major traffic arteries around and inside cities. Local roads and streets accounted for another 30%.
The top five states are New Mexico, Florida and Arizona, with Washington D.C. and Nevada tied. Per capita, these states average more than 2.5 pedestrian deaths per 100,000 population.
Tomorrow we will look into when these crashes happen, to whom and why.
Visit Virginia's Dream. International shipping available on request.
Pedestrian deaths are on the decline. The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration commissioned a ten year study to examine the trends in crashes resulting in pedestrian deaths.
Twelve percent of all vehicle crash deaths are pedestrians. This means they are not occupants of a vehicle, motorcycle riders or bicycle riders: they are on foot.
The study, authored by Dow Chang, Ph.D. and P.E., revealed trends in those killed and the conditions under which they were killed.
- Men are more likely to be killed as pedestrians than women.
- January 1 and October 31 were the deadliest days of the year.
- People over the age of 64 are more likely to be killed as pedestrians.
- Blood alcohol content (BAC) increase the probability of dying as a pedestrian.
- 58% of pedestrian deaths are not in a crosswalk.
- Most pedestrian fatality crashes occur between 6 and 9 p.m., on Friday or Saturday, under sleet conditions and/or in the dark.
A look at the numbers
Between 1997 and 2007, the number of pedestrian deaths decreased from 5,321 to 4,784, representing a decrease of nearly 10%. Pedestrians are the only group of people whose fatality statistics have declined. They represent 12% of all fatalities in vehicle crashes.
While this sounds like good news, the chances of being killed has increased. In 1997, the chances a pedestrian would be killed in a crash was 5.3%. By 2006, that chance increased to 7.1%.
What did not change over the decade was the number of pedestrians killed in single vehicle crashes. Ten times more pedestrians are killed each year by single vehicles than those killed by multiple car crashes.
Where does it happen?
You already read about the top five cities, but there is more. Cities do account for 67% of the fatalities, but 87% of the cities in the United States do not report any fatalities. More than 90% of the cities which did have fatalities had nine or fewer. Less than 1% of cities had over 100 pedestrian fatalities.
Pedestrians are not being killed on the Interstate highway system, which forbids pedestrian travel. Nor are they on interstate highway roads (10%) or expressways (only 4%), instead 51% of pedestrians are killed on major traffic arteries around and inside cities. Local roads and streets accounted for another 30%.
The top five states are New Mexico, Florida and Arizona, with Washington D.C. and Nevada tied. Per capita, these states average more than 2.5 pedestrian deaths per 100,000 population.
Tomorrow we will look into when these crashes happen, to whom and why.
Visit Virginia's Dream. International shipping available on request.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Car Facts & Safety
Driving safety is important to everyone, even those who do not drive. This week's blog will investigate some interesting statistics on vehicles, driving safety and the combination of children and cars.
A view of the future
Driveway accidents
Children under four are the most likely to be killed in accidents in driveways while adults (or teens) are backing up.
Be on the lookout for safety tips and advice on how to protect your child from this type of accident.
Vehicle Fires
Vehicle fires on the highway took the lives of 365 people in the United States in 2007.
Do you know what to do in the case of a car fire? Do you know how to prevent one? I will be answering both of these questions in this week's blog.
Teen Drivers
35% of teens who die do it in a vehicle crash.
What causes teen crashes? Do you know the best ways to help teen drivers (and passengers) survive to age 20? Both of these questions will be highlighted and answered this week.
Pedestrian crashes
January 1 and October 31 are the most dangerous days for pedestrians. More pedestrians die on these two days than any others.
This week we will look at which pedestrians are at the highest risk (and it may not be who you think), what conditions are the most dangerous and how to avoid becoming a pedestrian fatality.
Stay tuned or subscribe to get a full palette of driving safety tips.
Visit Virginia's Dream. International shipping available on request.
A view of the future
Driveway accidents
Children under four are the most likely to be killed in accidents in driveways while adults (or teens) are backing up.
Be on the lookout for safety tips and advice on how to protect your child from this type of accident.
Vehicle Fires
Vehicle fires on the highway took the lives of 365 people in the United States in 2007.
Do you know what to do in the case of a car fire? Do you know how to prevent one? I will be answering both of these questions in this week's blog.
Teen Drivers
35% of teens who die do it in a vehicle crash.
What causes teen crashes? Do you know the best ways to help teen drivers (and passengers) survive to age 20? Both of these questions will be highlighted and answered this week.
Pedestrian crashes
January 1 and October 31 are the most dangerous days for pedestrians. More pedestrians die on these two days than any others.
This week we will look at which pedestrians are at the highest risk (and it may not be who you think), what conditions are the most dangerous and how to avoid becoming a pedestrian fatality.
Stay tuned or subscribe to get a full palette of driving safety tips.
Visit Virginia's Dream. International shipping available on request.
Road Rage: Tips for a safer drive
Every driver has been there. Minding your own business, driving to an appointment, following the traffic rules courtesily...when someone cuts you off.
What is your first instinct? Speed up and cut the inconsiderate driver off? Hurl obscenities and hand gestures? Are you filled with road rage?
While you are sitting in your comfortable chair, take a minute to think about it. Your thought process is the key to raveling road rage into a pile of fluff. What you do next could make your drive safer.
It's not about you.
Yes, an insolent driver cut you off. No, it is not personal. Could it have been one of these?
- A medical professional on the way to an emergency.
- A volunteer firefighter whose light is not visible from behind.
- A parent en route to a child who needs help.
- An impaired driver who may not have seen you.
- A driver who forgot that pesky blind spot before changing lanes.
It's not forever.
That driver did not take you away from the world. When you allow yourself to get angry, you place yourself in a dangerous position that could take you away. What are you gaining by being angry? Be honest: Anger is a waste of Vitamin C.
What did you really lose? You may not catch the next green light, but statistics for 40 years show he won't catch the one after that. You are the smart driver who left on time with a cushion for unexpected delay. Today, the delay is not mechanical; it's organic.
You are in control.
The road is filled with unpredictable obstacles: Unannounced road closures, wrecks where others lost their lives and wildlife irritated at the highway intrusion on its rightful habitat. Shift your focus to things you can control, like the distance between you and the problem driver.
Walk in other shoes.
No, don't put yourself in his place (even though it might not hurt your thinking). What would you do in shoe leather? Picture you and Mr. Impolite on a sidewalk. He is carrying baggage which is impairing his ability to navigate. He steps in front of you.
Are you going to scream and curse at him? Are you going to roll your eyes and give him a wider berth? Or are you going to help him realign his packages, so he does not trip anyone when he drops them?
What if it was you?
Have you ever been abominably late? Maybe you were worried about where you were going and not about how to get there safely? Been preparing to arrive (practicing what you are going to tell your chronically late secretary) and oblivious to everyone else on the road?
- Be forgiving. No one ran you off the road when you were not being so considerate.
- Be a little understanding. One day it could be you on the way to the emergency.
- Be grateful. Your stress-o-meter is not so full you are putting yourself and others in danger. You have heard it: "Smile. It could be worse."
Avoiding road rage is 100% about being safe in your own driving (defensive driving, that is). Give Mr. Impolite a little extra room. It could be the difference between his one-car-crash and your joining in his statistics.
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