Children playing close to the street make up the category of pedestrian most at risk for injuries because they have a tendency to dart in and out of traffic without looking. In urban areas where people commonly walk to work or school, there are risks as well. Distractions such as headphones and cellphones are contributing to an increased risk for adult pedestrians. According to the United States Department of Transportation, the number of pedestrian injuries occurring in urban areas increases between 3pm and 6pm, most likely because people are leaving work and school.
The city of Little Rock is developing new sidewalks and pedestrian routes to make walking safer in many areas. Nevertheless, it is important for pedestrians as well as automobile drivers to be aware of ways to reduce risk and increase safety. The statistics for Pulaski County’s pedestrian/car crash rate is 3 times higher than surrounding counties with more than 3100 motor vehicle crashes involving pedestrians and bicyclists since 1995.
Some recent incidents in the Little Rock area include a pedestrian fatality last November when a pedestrian was killed after a Central Arkansas Transit Authority bus accident on the corner of Capital and Louisiana in Little Rock. Last month two pedestrians were walking when a car spun out of control, hitting the two pedestrians and a light pole, which fell to the ground on 9th and Broadway. In North Little Rock a pedestrian was hit by a pickup truck on Crystal Hill Road.
The solution to prevent pedestrian injuries is for both automobile drivers and those on foot to avoid distractions and be alert. If you are walking, do not rely on traffic lights and crosswalks. Make sure that you look both ways and if possible, make eye contact with the driver before entering an intersection. Always look before stepping past a stopped vehicle. Drivers should be aware that police are watching to make sure your car comes to a complete stop before you turn at a red light. This is important for reducing the risk to pedestrians and also avoiding potential liability for an accident.
http://www.facebook.com/downtownlr for tips on how to be a safe pedestrian
http://www.metroplan.org/files/53/2010Ped-BikeCrashAnalysis-Draft.pdf for the Metroplan 2012 report