Pedestrian traffic deaths surged in 2015
Pedestrian traffic fatal crashes increased by at least 10% in 2015 and low gas prices are to blame in a report released by the Governors Highway Safety Association.
The report finds that distracted driving, distracted walking, and alcohol are also contributors to the increase.
Buses also killed a disproportionate number of pedestrians.
"In a related issue, the Amalgamated Transit Union, which represents city bus drivers, estimates that roughly one pedestrian is killed every 10 days by a city bus because of blind spots in poorly designed buses. Wide "A pillars," which connect the windshield to the driver's side window, and poorly placed side mirrors frequently obstruct drivers' view of intersections, according to the union. "Until the industry demands a change in the design of buses to remove the unnecessary blind spots like European buses, people will continue to die in these preventable accidents," said Larry Hanley, the union's president."
Charley Gee is a Portland personal injury attorney. He exclusively represents injured people against insurance companies and corporations.
