What to Know About School Zone Pedestrian Accidents
School zones are a big priority, so they are designed to be safe for the students. A big reason for this is that there is always very high traffic in school zones, especially in “rush hours,” which are the morning and afternoon times when parents drop off or pick up their kids. Various measures are taken to ensure that the school zones are safe and that pedestrian accidents do not occur. Unfortunately, accidents still happen. Click here and talk to a lawyer if you have been involved in a pedestrian accident.
How are school zone accidents different?
There are certain differences between school zone accidents and regular pedestrian accidents. Over 25,000 children are injured yearly in school zone accidents, with approximately 100 children dying. School zone accidents are more likely to occur on weekdays than on weekends, unlike regular pedestrian accidents. School zone accidents are also more likely to happen in daylight, under proper lighting and weather conditions. This is not always the case for regular pedestrian accidents.
What causes pedestrian accidents in school zones?
The word pedestrian is not only for people who are walking. It can also refer to cyclists, roller skaters, joggers, runners, etc. Pedestrian accidents occur due to the following:
- Excessive speeding or overspeeding
- Failure to stop or rolling stops
- Poor maintenance or design of the intersections
- Reckless driving
- Passing a school bus
- Drunk driving
- Distracted driving
Distracted driving and reckless driving are the most common causes of pedestrian accidents. When drivers are not paying enough attention to the road, they may not be aware that they are in a school zone. This can lead to overspeeding, which may cause an accident or injure someone.
How to stay safe in school zones?
Children should not have to worry too much about staying safe or avoiding accidents. It should be easy to stay safe in a school zone. Some tips to ensure safety in school zones are:
- The flow of pedestrian traffic and the road markings should be easy to understand.
- A traffic guard should be present. They can help the children stay safe and can direct traffic.
- Drivers should stay off their phones and be alert.
- Drivers should follow the rules and the speed limits of the school zone.
Have you been involved in a pedestrian accident?
You do not have to stay silent if you or someone you know has been injured in a pedestrian accident. Get in touch with a skilled and experienced pedestrian accident attorney today and determine the next legal steps to take.
