Pedestrian accidents are on the rise in Florida and across the country, according to recent statistics from the Governors Highway Safety Association.
It appeared that in 2016, for the first time in 20 years, the total number of pedestrian deaths would top 6,000, which is a disturbing statistic. This is despite the fact that several states have stepped up their law enforcement efforts and public safety campaigns.
The report attributed some of the numbers to the fact that, while many safety features in vehicles have improved and thus decreased the likelihood of motorists dying in a car crash, there have been no similar trends when it comes to protecting pedestrians who are, by their nature, less protected.
The report also noted that most of the spike in pedestrian accidents can be traced to rural areas. Why this might be happening is not entirely clear.
Finally, and perhaps most significantly, the report suggested that increased cellphone use while motorists are behind the wheel was a huge contributor to the rise in the number of pedestrian deaths over the years. In this respect, this report was simply one more confirmation that distracted driving, whether on account of a cellphone or otherwise, is a dangerous habit that can lead to a serious pedestrian accident that could leave a person disabled or even dead.
Hopefully, the ongoing efforts of Florida and other states will eventually cause this trend to reverse itself. In the meantime, victims and their families can take comfort in the fact that compensation may be available to them after a pedestrian accident.