Most of the roads in the United States are designed with motor vehicles in mind. This makes sense, since most people need to drive regularly to get to and from work, to run errands, or to engage in other activities. However, there are many other people that also need to use the roads, and drivers should take care to act safely and prevent injuries to people on foot. During the month of October, safety advocates highlight the risks faced by pedestrians and provide guidance on the steps people can take to prevent injuries in pedestrian accidents. However, the messages that are often presented to the public contain some confusing information about who is primarily responsible for these types of accidents.
Myths About Pedestrian Safety
When government organizations such as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) discuss pedestrian safety, they often place equal amounts of emphasis on actions that pedestrians can take to stay safe as they do on ensuring that drivers act safely to avoid injuring pedestrians. However, a negligent driver is much more likely to be responsible for a collision than a person who is on foot.
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