Pedestrian deaths in Florida are significantly higher than the national average, traffic statistics show. Nearly 500 people died in pedestrian accidents in Florida in 2011, according to a new report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). One of every five traffic fatalities in Florida was a pedestrian. The state ranked number one in the per capita rate of pedestrian fatalities.
Jacksonville is among the more dangerous cities for pedestrians and, as such, one of 22 cities recently targeted by the U.S. Department of Transportation program’s “Everyone is a Pedestrian” grants. The Dept. of Transportation has invited 22 focus cities where pedestrian crashes are especially high to apply for the funds.
The program was launched August 5th, one day before a 76-year-old pedestrian was hit and killed by a pickup as he crossed the 2500 block of Atlantic Blvd. in Jacksonville around 11:30 a.m., according to the Florida Times-Union. The accident was typical in that three out of four pedestrian deaths occur in urban areas, most happen on clear or cloudy days with no precipitation, and most victims are male (73 percent in 2011).
On average, traffic accidents involving a pedestrian caused a pedestrian death every two hours and an injury every eight minutes in the U.S. An estimated 70,000 pedestrians were injured in 2011.
Concerned by the uptick in fatalities, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) recently launched a new website www.nhtsa.gov/everyoneisapedestrian that offers safety tips and resources to improve pedestrian safety. The DOT defines a pedestrian as any person on foot, walking, running, jogging, hiking, sitting or lying down who is involved in a motor vehicle traffic crash.
There were 4,432 pedestrians killed in traffic crashes in the U.S. in 2011, according to NHTSA data, compared to 4,280 pedestrian deaths in 2010. Pedestrian fatalities decreased by 14 percent from 2000 to 2009.
A significant percentage of pedestrian fatalities involve alcohol. More than a third of the pedestrians killed and about 13 percent of the drivers in pedestrian fatalities had blood alcohol concentrations in excess of the legal limit. Either the driver or pedestrian, or both, had some alcohol in nearly half of all fatal pedestrian crashes.
Up to six cities will be selected to receive grants, which total $2 million. The NHTSA says the total number of awards and the funding level of each award will depend on the quality of the proposals. Other Florida cities eligible to apply for the grants include Miami, Orlando, and Ft. Lauderdale. Grant applications are due August 30.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a pedestrian accident due to the negligence of another, you may be eligible for legal recourse. It is imperative for injury victims to seek legal advice from an experienced attorney.
The personal injury attorneys at The Law Firm of Pajcic & Pajcic are here to help you if you have been in a car crash, motorcycle wreck, truck collision, or other accident.
Pedestrian deaths in Florida are significantly higher than the national average, traffic statistics show. Nearly 500 people died in pedestrian accidents in Florida in 2011, according to a new report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). One of every five traffic fatalities in Florida was a pedestrian. The state ranked number one in the per capita rate of pedestrian fatalities.
Jacksonville is among the more dangerous cities for pedestrians and, as such, one of 22 cities recently targeted by the U.S. Department of Transportation program’s “Everyone is a Pedestrian” grants. The Dept. of Transportation has invited 22 focus cities where pedestrian crashes are especially high to apply for the funds.
The program was launched August 5th, one day before a 76-year-old pedestrian was hit and killed by a pickup as he crossed the 2500 block of Atlantic Blvd. in Jacksonville around 11:30 a.m., according to the Florida Times-Union. The accident was typical in that three out of four pedestrian deaths occur in urban areas, most happen on clear or cloudy days with no precipitation, and most victims are male (73 percent in 2011).
On average, traffic accidents involving a pedestrian caused a pedestrian death every two hours and an injury every eight minutes in the U.S. An estimated 70,000 pedestrians were injured in 2011.
Concerned by the uptick in fatalities, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) recently launched a new website www.nhtsa.gov/everyoneisapedestrian that offers safety tips and resources to improve pedestrian safety. The DOT defines a pedestrian as any person on foot, walking, running, jogging, hiking, sitting or lying down who is involved in a motor vehicle traffic crash.
There were 4,432 pedestrians killed in traffic crashes in the U.S. in 2011, according to NHTSA data, compared to 4,280 pedestrian deaths in 2010. Pedestrian fatalities decreased by 14 percent from 2000 to 2009.
A significant percentage of pedestrian fatalities involve alcohol. More than a third of the pedestrians killed and about 13 percent of the drivers in pedestrian fatalities had blood alcohol concentrations in excess of the legal limit. Either the driver or pedestrian, or both, had some alcohol in nearly half of all fatal pedestrian crashes.
Up to six cities will be selected to receive grants, which total $2 million. The NHTSA says the total number of awards and the funding level of each award will depend on the quality of the proposals. Other Florida cities eligible to apply for the grants include Miami, Orlando, and Ft. Lauderdale. Grant applications are due August 30.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a pedestrian accident due to the negligence of another, you may be eligible for legal recourse. It is imperative for injury victims to seek legal advice from an experienced attorney.
The personal injury attorneys at The Law Firm of Pajcic & Pajcic are here to help you if you have been in a car crash, motorcycle wreck, truck collision, or other accident.
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