The 3 Most Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents
Car accidents involving pedestrians lead to hundreds of fatalities a year in Canada. Cars moving at high speeds pose serious safety risks for vulnerable pedestrians. Pedestrians maintain virtually no protection against oncoming vehicles, leading to life-altering injuries such as concussions, spinal cord injuries, and internal bleeding.
To reduce the risk of becoming involved in a pedestrian accident, continue reading to learn the most common causes of pedestrian accidents. Many terrible accidents remain avoidable if pedestrians and drivers would take the proper safety precautions. Always stay abreast of the traffic laws in your community to reduce the risk of becoming involved in a pedestrian accident.
The 3 Most Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents
Over 100,000 people were injured in motor vehicle accidents in Canada in 2020. To keep our beautiful Canadian roads safe this winter, always follow the speed limits and abide by all traffic signals. In winter storms and inclement weather, pedestrians remain hard to see, so they are vulnerable to pedestrian injuries.
Over 90% of car accidents involve human error, illustrating the preventability of numerous injuries and fatalities. Before Mother Nature sends forth her fury, bring your car to your local mechanic for routine maintenance and repairs. The three most common causes of pedestrian accidents include the following:
Distracted Driving
Cell phones pose an enormous safety concern for drivers and pedestrians. Speaking or texting on cell phones while driving remains punishable by hefty fines, demerits, suspension of licences, and potential jail time. About 1.5 million car accidents in Canada involve distracted drivers using cell phones while driving.
The other most common causes of pedestrian accidents due to distracted driving include:
- Applying makeup
- Tending to pets
- Eating or drinking
- Daydreaming
- Smoking
To avoid deadly car crashes, purchase a hands-free connector for your cell phone. Taking your eyes off the road for a few seconds can cause irreparable harm to individuals and property. Consider signing up for a driving safety course to learn the best techniques for safe driving.
Impaired/Drunk Driving Accidents
Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol leads to deadly consequences. Inebriated drivers lack the reaction time, motor skills, and logical reasoning to operate safely. Drunk driving accidents increased by over 18% in Canada from 2018 to 2019.
Never operate a motor vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and avoid allowing inebriated individuals to drive cars. Uber and Lyft provide affordable, safe options for drivers who wish to avoid the perils of intoxicated driving.
Bad Weather
Not all cars receive proper maintenance and winterization before the dangerous winter months. Unequipped vehicles risk sliding on black ice and harming vulnerable pedestrians. Those injured in a pedestrian accident during winter remain susceptible to hypothermia and increased ambulance arrival times.
When walking or running in winter, always wear warm clothing with reflective colours.
You Know What To Do. Call Chorney Sidhu
At Chorney Sidhu Injury Lawyers, we proudly serve the Brampton, ON, community. To learn more about the most common causes of pedestrian accidents, call us at Chorney Sidhu Injury Lawyers at 844-487-8482 / 844-HURT-GTA to speak with our friendly staff today!
