Is Arizona Safe for Pedestrians?

The makeup of roadways across the state of Arizona is such that there are very long stretches of road where there are no sidewalks for pedestrians to safely travel. Due to this, many times people who are outside walking or jogging, for instance, will often do so on the side of the road. This poses a clear danger of getting hit if you are a pedestrian forced to share the roads with other cars when you are traveling or exercising outside. In Arizona, the number of incidents where pedestrians are hit by an automobile is high.

According to the Governor’s Highway Safety Association, Arizona comes in at number 2 for most dangerous states for pedestrians. Local streets are responsible for 35% of pedestrian fatalities. In 2018 there were upwards of almost 250 individuals who lost their lives in Arizona pedestrian accidents. Not only are pedestrian accidents common, but the frequency of these accidents is increasing.

Do Car Safety Features Help Reduce the Risk for Pedestrian Accidents?

There are several features that modern automobiles have which are designed to increase safety. Back-up cameras help us see clearing behind our vehicle, front cameras give a wider scope of view, sensors that can alert us to objects or people that may be near our vehicle, speed alarms, to adjustable side mirrors there are many types of equipment and technology that our cars have which are there for safety. They are supposed to help us navigate the roads and parking lots as well as operate our vehicles more efficiently and securely.

Still, with all of these advances, accidents are still happening at an alarming rate. When it comes down to it, our cars can have all the alarms, bells, cameras, and mirrors they can hold, but if we aren’t paying attention to them, they become virtually ineffective. The rising rates of accidents due to distracted driving is becoming a serious problem on American roadways. Distracted drivers are not just a threat to other cars and trucks on the road, but they also present grave danger for pedestrians. 

Despite their intentions to provide drivers with enhanced safety in their vehicle, this extra technology may actually be a hindrance to good driving practices. It seems counterintuitive that a driver’s ability to operate their vehicle could be hampered when it is outfitted with more technology. The added security features can actually make drivers focus more on the information they provide and less on physically monitoring the road and their surroundings. Because of this, drivers may operate their vehicles less cautiously and be less alert to their surroundings than if they didn’t have additional tech support.

Have You Been Injured By An Arizona Driver?

Staying vigilant when behind the wheel is key to reduce accidents. However, even when you are doing everything you can to stay safe from avoiding distractions, maintaining the legal speed, to always being attentive to your environment others may not be. If you are hit by a negligent driver in Arizona, it is important you receive compensation. The  Phoenix accident injury attorneys at ELG can help you with your Arizona personal injury claim. Call ELG at (623) 877-3600 to schedule a free consultation with one of our talented Arizona personal injury attorneys.