Pedestrian and Cycling Deaths on the Rise in the United States

There is a real movement happening in the country right now to be more environmentally conscious and limit the number of cars on the road. With that said, people are turning to bicycles and their own two feet as a mode of transportation, seeing it as the environmentally-sound and healthy decision. And while it may be true that it is environmentally more responsible, statistics are showing that both pedestrian and cycling deaths are on the rise in the United States.

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And here’s the really alarming part, they aren’t just on the rise by a small amount, pedestrian deaths have increased by 45% since 2010 while cyclist fatalities have increased by 25%. And it’s not just here in the United States, it seems this is a growing problem around the world.

What is the Reason for the Sharp Rise?

These rather alarming statistics are causing people to stop and take notice, and ask what the reason behind it is? If there are less cars on the road, shouldn’t there be less incidents, accidents, and fatalities? Unfortunately, it’s not that simple, as most of the major cities in the country are still dominated by fast-moving cars. This means pedestrians are still having to share the streets with a large number of vehicles that are much more powerful, bigger, and faster than them.

What About Vehicle Fatalities?

So, what about vehicle fatalities, are they on the rise as well? Here’s where a sharp contrast is drawn, as vehicle fatalities have been declining for years now and are continuing to do so. Manufacturers are making safer vehicles, roads are being improved, and strict laws that work to keep distracted driving at bay are all having an effect. So, while you may be safer commuting in a car, unfortunately that can’t be said for cyclists and pedestrians.

What About Bike Lanes and Walk Paths?

Another trend that has popped up in many of the country’s big cities are dedicated bike lanes and walk paths. While these are certainly important and provide cyclists and pedestrians with a safe place to be, unfortunately there aren’t enough of them, they don’t extend as far as they should, and many cars just aren’t respecting the rules of these dedicated lanes. Cars passing over these lanes and not spotting people in their blind spots are far too common and lead to injuries and in some cases – death.

What Is Being Done?

So, what exactly is being done to remedy the situation? Well, some cities are taking more active approaches than others. Take for example the busy city of Boston which has now reduced its city speed limit in order to slow the traffic down. Washington, DC, is also taking measures to make cyclists and pedestrians safer by working on three dozen major intersections to improve them.

Of course, if you do find yourself injured as a pedestrian or cyclist, you’ll want to be sure you speak to a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. They will work on your behalf to ensure you are compensated and looked after. You can read more about how a personal injury lawyer can help by visiting BraunsLaw.

In the meantime, whether you head out on bicycle or by foot, be sure to be alert and aware of your surroundings at all times so you don’t suffer an injury yourself.