Crossing the street is a routine activity for millions of people. Some might not realize that walking into an intersection at a green light may prove fatal. An unfortunate number of drivers in Maryland simply do not follow common-sense safety rules. Being in a rush to make a turn or spending too much time talking to a passenger could prove fatal when a vehicle hits a pedestrian. Sadly, 2021 recorded a tremendous number of pedestrian/motor vehicle accidents.
2021 proved deadly for pedestrians
Pedestrian deaths reached a crisis point in 2021, as figures show deaths at a 40-year high. According to the Governors Highway Safety Association, 7,342 pedestrians died in 2021 after being hit, a figure few thought possible years earlier.
Likely, problems in 2021 derived partly from factors starting in 2020 when fewer drivers were on the road. Perhaps some drivers got away with moving violations in 2020 so often that such actions became routine in 2021.
That said, infrastructure problems may contribute to the unfortunate number of deaths—the poor condition of roads and a lack of sidewalks in some areas factor into the situation. However, driver behavior may be the most egregious reason pedestrians get hit by cars.
Driver negligence and pedestrian deaths
Moving violations and other troubling actions by drivers could increase the number of pedestrian accidents. Someone choosing to talk on a phone while driving in a populated area takes a tremendous risk, and pedestrians might suffer.
Speeding and making illegal turns also boost danger levels for drivers and pedestrians. Intoxicated driving may come with even greater levels of risk as well.