Attorney
Transportation officials from Washington, D.C., and Maryland held a demonstration to show how dangerous it is to speed through areas with lots of pedestrian traffic.
The officials blocked off a street, set up a dummy at the end of the street, and simulated different scenarios that could lead to pedestrian accidents. When going at the posted speed of 25 mph, the test car came to a stop a safe distance from the dummy. When speeding at 35 mph, as most cars do in that neighborhood, the car slammed into the dummy and dislocated its head.
Trauma surgeon Jack Sava of the Washington Hospital Center said that accidents like these typically lead to traumatic brain injuries. He and the other officials hoped that a visual demonstration of these accidents would inspire residents to slow down in residential areas.
Factors that Increase Chances of Pedestrian Accidents
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) published a report on pedestrian accidents and identified several trends for those most at risk of accidents. The report found that:
- Pedestrians with a high blood alcohol concentration are more likely to be involved in pedestrian accidents
- Most pedestrian crashes occur between 3:00 am and 6:00 am, or on the weekend
- Areas with higher speed limits are more likely to see pedestrian fatalities
- Nearly two-thirds of all pedestrian deaths occurred in urban areas
We hope this presentation inspired residents to think twice about speeding: just a few miles over the speed limit could mean the difference between life and death. If you lost a loved one in a pedestrian accident, please contact our Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C. injury attorneys to schedule a free consultation. Our Washington, D.C. number is (202) 659-5500
Koonz, McKenney, Johnson & DePaolis L.L.P.
Maryland, Washington, D.C., and Virginia Injury Attorneys