Daylight savings time will be ending in early November, and coinciding with its end, the Street Smart program will begin another ad push and enforcement period. Because night falls quicker in winter, pedestrians can be harder to see for drivers. This can lead to devastating
Pedestrian Accidents
Is Pedestrian Safety Really Improving In D.C.?
Last month, at least four people were killed in D.C. pedestrian accidents over a two-week period and several more sustained injuries. Despite this spike in vehicle accidents involving pedestrians, police data shows 2016 might actually be a better year in terms of pedestrian safety...
Two DC Pedestrian Accidents Occurred in Less Than 24 Hours
Two men died in less than 24 hours in separate DC pedestrian accidents this month. On Thursday after 2:00 a.m., a 44-year-old victim was struck while leaving the restaurant he owned in the Shaw neighborhood. A breathalyzer was administered to the driver, but the accident is still under investigation. Sometime after 2:00 a.m....
Read MoreThis Self-Driving Car Prevented a D.C. Pedestrian Accident
In a previous blog, we talked about how a self-driving car in Autopilot mode failed to recognize a semi-truck that had pulled out in front of it, causing a fatal accident. However, it seems another autonomous vehicle made headlines for an entirely different reason. A self-driving car in the Washington, D.C. area automatically braked...
Read MoreWhat Proposal is D.C. Council Considering to Help Pedestrians and Cyclists After a Vehicle Collision?
When a pedestrian or cyclist is hit by a vehicle, the only way that pedestrian or cyclist can collect damages is if the incident was found to be 100 percent the car driver’s fault. If the pedestrian or cyclist is found even 1 percent at fault, they receive nothing to cover medical expenses or...
Read MoreAre Wheelchair Users More Likely to be Involved in Car Accidents?
A recent analysis of U.S. crash data by the journal BMJ Open Access shows wheelchair users are 36 percent more likely to die in crashes with cars compared to pedestrians not bound to wheelchairs. The study, conducted by experts at Georgetown University in Washington D.C., began by reviewing data from the National Highway...
Read MoreWhy Do D.C. Residents Think Vision Zero Will Fail to Make Roads Safer?
Not surprisingly, a survey taken among more than 1,000 residents of D.C. showed that most residents have a major issue with the recent proposals lawmakers have made to increase traffic fines and, in some cases, nearly double them. Additionally, the District is installing more traffic cameras, particularly in school zones, where fines can reach...
Read MoreWhat is Causing the Continued Rise in Pedestrian Deaths in DC?
Pedestrian deaths in DC are now averaging more than one per week, according to WTOP. This average is based on data WTOP obtained from 10 local police agencies, which showed that there were 60 fatalities in DC in 2015. The 2015 total marks a disturbing trend, which has seen pedestrian accident fatalities in...
Read MoreHero Saves DC Pedestrian Struck and Pinned Beneath Bus
A Hero Saves DC Pedestrian Under Bus
An elderly Washington, D.C. man was seriously injured after being struck and pinned beneath a Greyhound bus for about 20 minutes near the Washington Convention Center earlier this month. This is when a hero saves the DC pedestrian. The man was hit around 1:10 p.m. and was pinned beneath... Read MoreIs it Safe to Jog in DC’s Bike Lanes?
Cyclists in Washington D.C. already have to weave their way around vehicles whose drivers think bike lanes are convenient places to park. Now, they are having to contend with joggers on these designated bike lanes who don’t want to run around pedestrians on sidewalks. Is this fair? This question was posed on Reddit’s D.C. subreddit...
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