The US recorded a 40 year high in pedestrian deaths in 2022. While municipalities and government agencies are allocating money to protect pedestrians, lives are still being lost. Statistics and numbers will show that attempts are being made, but our roads continue to be deadly for pedestrians.
The money being spent
Billions of dollars are being allocated to improve road safety for vulnerable road user. The Department of Transportation spent a whopping $2.4 billion in their efforts to reduce traffic casualties in 2022 and 2023. Beth Osbourne from U.S. DOT said, “There’s [sic] a lot of people dying each year and so that’s deeply concerning… We spend about $50 billion a year on our roadway system, and we have separated out spending on those safety considerations as a specialized small part of that funding, which shows you that that is not a priority.” Numerous states, such as New York, California, Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and more are spending 10’s of millions of dollars on various projects in their labors to protect the safety of their people.
The damage being done
As stated earlier, there is a massive amount of money being spent with little to show for it. One report from 2022 states that a pedestrian was killed in a traffic crash every seventy minutes. Such statistics are mind-boggling. In 2022, over 67,000 pedestrians were injured in the United States, and around 7,522 were killed. Without a doubt, there are people seeking to make a difference. Clearly, money is being spent to bring the crisis to a halt. But money must be coupled with wisdom to bring a stop to the problem at hand.
What can be done?
So, what can be done about this problem? There are many answers to such a question, and only time will tell if such changes make a difference. Major cities are the main areas of pedestrian deaths. The city of Oakland California alone saw 52 pedestrian accidents in 2022. This does not mean that attention should not be given throughout the United States, but it does bring some matters to the forefront.
First, it could be helpful to implement automated cameras in all the major cities in the United States. Automated cameras are already being used in Washington D.C. and Chicago with remarkable results. Reckless and fast drivers are one of the main causes of pedestrian deaths. These cameras can help curb this type of driving, because such drivers are issued speeding tickets when caught on camera.
Second, it is not only important for people to drive safely but also for pedestrians to walk safely. Pedestrians should ensure that they are using the crosswalks that have been established. Crosswalks help drivers to realize that pedestrians could be walking across the road.
Pedestrians should also ensure that they are using the signals available to them before they cross the street. For instance, at many crosswalks, there is a button to push that will alert drivers and pedestrians as to when the pedestrian will be crossing. Sidewalks should also be used, as they create a clear division between the road and the pedestrian walkway.
Third, drivers must ensure they are driving safely. Putting the cell phone away while driving is a must. Numerous accidents have occurred while drivers have been on their phone, whether it is talking, texting, or surfing the internet.
Obeying the speed limit and keeping an eye out for road signs are important. Drivers should be extra cautious around school zones, busy streets, and crosswalks. Certainly, all drivers should avoid the use of drugs and alcohol, as well, to keep the roads safe.
Although the pedestrian death rate is on the rise, something can be done about it. The people are in control of the future of this country, and it is time to make a difference.
