You run into a convenience store to pick up a cup of coffee or a pack of gum. The next thing you know, a car has plowed into the store. Glass is shattered everywhere. Customers may be trapped under the car.
The scene is like something out of a movie. But this is not some unusual occurrence. Believe it or not this happens as many as 20 times a day in the United States. That translates into 73,000 crashes a year.
Cars crash into stores, restaurants, hair salons and other businesses at an alarming rate. There have been numerous accidents of this type in the Jacksonville area in the past few years.
Statistics show that young drivers who are often distracted and senior citizens who may have some confusion are responsible for the bulk of these crashes.
Mark Wright was a victim of a storefront crash and now is an advocate for trying to make changes in laws to protect all of us. On his website, Stop Storefront Crashes, Wright has some quick tips for everyone. These include:
Businesses – You and your landlord can protect your employees and customers with proper barriers and other strategies.
Shoppers – Look before you exit. Keep your eyes on moving vehicles, especially as they pull in to park.
Drivers – Pay attention. Focus on correct pedal use. Confusing brake and gas pedals is a common cause of storefront crashes.
Many stores are built so that you can drive right up to the front. It’s done for convenience, but a simple slip of a foot on a pedal can lead to unthinkable tragedy. There are various barriers that can be placed in front of stores, including bollards. These would certainly help in keeping vehicles from getting through storefronts.
“One tragic aspect of these storefront crashes is that they’re preventable,” explains Texas A&M Transportation Institute Assistant Agency Director Dean Alberson. Alberson manages TTI’s Crashworthy Structures Program.
Advocates are hopeful eventually laws will be in place to shore up the entrances to storefronts. For now they are thankful for a first step of just making everyone more aware that this danger exists.
You run into a convenience store to pick up a cup of coffee or a pack of gum. The next thing you know, a car has plowed into the store. Glass is shattered everywhere. Customers may be trapped under the car.
The scene is like something out of a movie. But this is not some unusual occurrence. Believe it or not this happens as many as 20 times a day in the United States. That translates into 73,000 crashes a year.
Many involve fatalities or critical injuries.
Cars crash into stores, restaurants, hair salons and other businesses at an alarming rate. There have been numerous accidents of this type in the Jacksonville area in the past few years.
Statistics show that young drivers who are often distracted and senior citizens who may have some confusion are responsible for the bulk of these crashes.
Mark Wright was a victim of a storefront crash and now is an advocate for trying to make changes in laws to protect all of us. On his website, Stop Storefront Crashes, Wright has some quick tips for everyone. These include:
Many stores are built so that you can drive right up to the front. It’s done for convenience, but a simple slip of a foot on a pedal can lead to unthinkable tragedy. There are various barriers that can be placed in front of stores, including bollards. These would certainly help in keeping vehicles from getting through storefronts.
“One tragic aspect of these storefront crashes is that they’re preventable,” explains Texas A&M Transportation Institute Assistant Agency Director Dean Alberson. Alberson manages TTI’s Crashworthy Structures Program.
Advocates are hopeful eventually laws will be in place to shore up the entrances to storefronts. For now they are thankful for a first step of just making everyone more aware that this danger exists.