NCJ Number
7973
Date Published
1972
Length
20 pages
Annotation
REDUCING NEEDLESS FATALITIES THROUGH STRICTER ENFORCEMENT OF PEDESTRIAN CODES AND INCREASED AWARENESS OF THE SCOPE OF THE PROBLEM.
Abstract
ACCIDENT STATISTICS INDICATE THAT MORE THAN FIFTY PERCENT OF ALL URBAN TRAFFIC FATALITIES SINCE 1957 INVOLVED PEDESTRIANS. CLEARLY, THERE IS AS MUCH NEED TO CONCERN OURSELVES WITH THE SAFETY OF PEDESTRIANS AS WITH THE SAFETY OF VEHICLE OPERATORS. SIGNIFICANT FACTORS IDENTIFIED AS PART OF THE PEDESTRIAN PROBLEM ARE DELINEATED AND THE IMPORTANCE OF ENFORCING EXISTING REGULATIONS IS EXPLAINED. THE MOST FREQUENTLY USED LEGAL TERMS RELATING TO PEDESTRIAN SAFETY ARE DEFINED. LAWS PERTAINING TO PEDESTRIAN MOVEMENTS, TAKEN FROM THE UNIFORM VEHICLE CODE, ARE PRESENTED, INCLUDING PEDESTRIAN RIGHTS AND DUTIES, PEDESTRIAN OBEDIENCE TO TRAFFIC CONTROL SIGNALS, AND DRIVERS' DUTIES TOWARD PEDESTRIANS. CONSIDERATIONS INVOLVED IN ENFORCING SUCH LAWS ARE ANALYZED WITH REGARD TO SUCH SPECIAL ASPECTS AS WEATHER CONDITIONS, VISIBILITY, THE YOUNG PEDESTRIAN, THE SENIOR CITIZEN, INTOXICATED INDIVIDUALS, HITCHHIKING, PEDESTRIAN TUNNELS AND OVERPASSES, AND DANGEROUS ACTIONS BY DRIVERS. TRAFFIC SAFETY PLANNERS WILL FIND THIS DOCUMENT VALUABLE IN ESTABLISHING PEDESTRIAN SAFETY PROGRAMS. (SNI ABSTRACT)