3D Painted Crosswalks – Since it was first introduced in Slough, England in 1951, the humble crosswalk has helped millions, if not billions, of people, cross the street safely. Over the years, its design has remained largely the same – a series of solid white lines evenly spaced across the asphalt. Now, however, that iconic design looks set to change.
Cities, towns, and major urban areas across the United States and the world have begun installing 3D crosswalks on some of their busiest streets. To drivers who are approaching these new crosswalks, the 3D design gives the illusion that there are physical objects in the middle of the road – prompting them to slow down. Local governments hope that the reduction in speed will help to make the pedestrians who are using the crosswalk significantly safer.
How dangerous are America’s roadways for pedestrians?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 129,000 pedestrians were admitted to an emergency department as a result of a collision with a vehicle in 2015. In other words, a pedestrian is struck by a car with enough force to cause serious injury approximately once every four minutes.
Of course, pedestrians don’t just receive injuries when they are hit by a vehicle. Quite often, they die. Per the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 5,977 pedestrians were killed in traffic collisions across the United States in 2017.
City governments will no doubt hope that the implementation of 3D crosswalks will be effective in reducing these alarming figures.
What can I do to stay safe as a pedestrian?
If you are worried about your safety as a pedestrian, you may wish to follow these simple tips to keep yourself protected on the road:
Cross the Street in the Designated Areas
When you are in a hurry, it can be tempting to try to quickly cross the road by simply stepping off of the sidewalk, looking around, and running or walking across. Though this street-crossing technique may seem convenient, it is also very dangerous. Instead, search for a nearby crosswalk (3D or traditional) or traffic signal and cross there.
Dress Appropriately
As a pedestrian, your aim should be to make yourself as noticeable as possible to passing traffic – especially when it is dark outside. To make yourself more visible, you should avoid wearing dark colors at night and instead opt for bright, reflective clothing. When dressed appropriately, drivers will be better able to see you and take precautions to avoid hitting you.
Stay Alert
Given that America’s roadways have the potential to be quite dangerous for pedestrians, you would be well advised to keep your wits about you while you are out walking. If you stroll around while daydreaming or staring at your smartphone, your chances of getting into an accident will increase significantly. Instead, try to keep your head up, remain conscious of other pedestrians, and keep a close eye out for passing cars.
What should I do if I am injured while walking?
If you are struck by a vehicle, your first priority should be your health. If your injuries are severe, call an ambulance or get to the emergency room as quickly as possible. Even if your injuries seem fairly minor, it is still a good idea to have a medical professional give you a check-up, just in case.
Once you are confident that you are no longer in any immediate danger, you can move on to handling the legal aspects of the situation. Most notably, you will need to give a statement to the police. This statement will be used to help them create an accident report, which outlines exactly what happened and who was responsible for the collision… If possible take photos of the scene and your injuries and gather other evidence such as the names and contact information of witnesses and check the sequence of the traffic lights if that might be an issue.
If you would like to seek financial compensation from the responsible party to help you cover your medical bills, you will need to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney. They will be able to let you know if you have a case, how much it may be worth, and how long the entire process will take.
Protecting Nevada’s Pedestrians
Over the years, the pedestrian accident attorneys at Cap and Kudler have helped countless pedestrians fight for the compensation they deserve after a traffic accident. We would love to do the same for you. Just give us a call at (702) 878-8778 to arrange a free consultation.
