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Prevent Pedestrian Accidents in South Carolina

In 2008, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) found that approximately 12 pedestrians died every day in pedestrian/motor vehicle accidents. That’s about 4,378 lives lost each year. With cities such as Charleston Clemson, Columbia, and Myrtle Beach, which are big college and tourist towns, it is not surprising that the state had 106 pedestrian deaths in 2007.

In studies done by NHTSA and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), researchers found that 70% of pedestrian fatalities were male. They also found that 40% of all fatalities occur on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Most of the accidents, about 70%, happen between the hours of 4 p.m. and 4 a.m., when people are off of work and on the roads.

Children (under the age of 16 years) are also all too common to pedestrian accidents and fatalities. A whopping 316 children died in 2008 in pedestrian/motor vehicle accidents. Because children spend most of their days in school, it is not surprising that 38% of child pedestrian deaths occur between the hours of 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. after they are at home. Many pedestrian accidents involving kids happen as they are getting on and of the school bus, often because other drivers are illegally passing the school bus or because the bus driver cannot see the child. Read more about the school bus "danger zone" in our blog "The ‘Danger Zone’ and School Bus Safety."

As a pedestrian, it is important that you do all that you can to maintain your safety. Below are a few safety tips:

1) Always use sidewalks.
2) Always use crosswalks.
3) Obey pedestrian traffic signals.
4) Look both ways before crossing the street.
5) Wear bright clothing when walking at night.

It is also important to insure pedestrian safety as a driver. Below are some safety tips for drivers:

1) Maintain eye contact on the road and the surroundings.
2) Always drive at the appropriate speed limit.
3) Obey traffic signals.
4) Proceed slowly and cautiously in parking lots.
5) Maintain adequate space between your car and pedestrians.

By following the above safety tips, both pedestrians and drivers can help prevent tragic and fatal car accidents. Parents and teachers who teach their children and students these tips and our school bus safety tips can save their children’s lives.

For More Information on Pedestrian Accidents:
Visit Our Pedestrian Accidents Practice Area Page For Articles and More!
Read Our Blog On How To Be A Safe Pedestrian!
Contact The Shelly Leeke Law Firm For a FREE Consultation!

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