Accidents Circumstances - Pedestrian accidents occurs in a variety of ways; the
most common type involves pedestrian crossing or entering the street at or
between intersections.
- Darting: It is used to indicate the sudden appearance of a
pedestrian from behind a vehicle or other sight obstruction.
- Dashing: It refers to the running pedestrians.
Special Problems
- Age: Children under 15 years of age from the largest group of
pedestrian victims and have the highest injury rate per population in their age
group, the elderly have the highest fatality rate because of the lower
probability of their recovery from injuries.
- Intoxication and Drug effects: Alcohol and drugs impair the
behavior of pedestrians to the extent that they may be a primary cause of
accident.
- Dusk and Darkness: Special pedestrian safety problems arise during
the hours of dusk and darkness, when it is most difficult for motorists
to see pedestrians.
Any person afoot is the definition of Uniform Vehicle Code of pedestrian.
However expand this definition to explicitly include people with disabilities,
such as who use wheelchairs or other mobility devices.
At the beginning and end of every motorist's trip, he or she is pedestrian.
The driver and/or passenger walks to the vehicle, which is parked, drives to a
destination, parks the vehicle again, and walks to the final destination.
In urban centers, pedestrian flows can be significant, and they must be
accommodated in planning and design of traffic facilities and controls.
Pedestrian safety is also a major issue, as the pedestrian is at a visible
disadvantage where potential pedestrian-vehicle conflict exist, such as at the
intersections.
It is important to recognize the forces influencing the demand for provision of
more and better pedestrian facilities.
Undoubtedly one important factor has been the increased awareness of the
environmental problems created by the rapid national and worldwide growth in
vehicle travel, but of equal important has been the recognition by many people
of need for physical fitness and the role that play in achieving this.
The demand for pedestrian facilities is influenced by a number of factors of
which some of the most important are
- The nature of the local community- Walking is more likely to
occur in a community that has a high proportion of young people.
- Car ownership -The availability of the private car reduces the
amount of walking, even for short journey.
- Local land use activities- Walking is primarily used for short
distance trips.
Consequently the distance between local origins and destinations (e.g. homes and
school, homes and shops) is an important factor influencing the level of demand,
particularly for the young and elderly.
- Quality of provision- If good quality pedestrian facilities are
provided, then demand will tend to increase.
- Safety and security- It is important that pedestrians perceive
the facilities to be safe and secure.
For pedestrians this means freedom from conflict with motor vehicle, as well as
a minimal threat from personal attack and the risk of tripping on uneven
surfaces.
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