Reducing Road Accidents That Involve Pedestrians - Essay Sample

Introduction

Road accidents occur in various places every day. These accidents are caused by various factors that may include human error, mechanical problems, weather conditions, and general carelessness, among others. These accidents lead to losses, including the loss of life. Unfortunately, a relatively large percentage of these accidents involve pedestrians. According to Levulite et al. (2016), 22% of all the people who died in road accidents in the United States in 2016 were pedestrians. This means that the pedestrian is under threat and measures have to be taken to protect them. Therefore, to mitigate the pedestrian accidents caused by motor vehicles on the roads, a change is necessary for the community. Although the pedestrians need sensitization on keenness while using the roads, erection of speed bumps, police vigilance, and availability of stop signs and sidewalks are crucial in reducing motor vehicle-pedestrian crashes in the community.

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One of the changes that will necessitate the reduction of motor vehicle-pedestrian accidents is the erection of speed bumps at the appropriate places. This is extremely important. Arbogast et al. (2018) assert that speed bumps reduce vehicle-pedestrian crashes by slowing down vehicles thus reducing the likelihood of a pedestrian being knocked down. The erection of bumps will require schools and the general community to collaborate with the relevant authorities in advising and subsequently identifying the best places for such bumps. A road may not necessarily require too many bumps. However, with the relevant information and advice, the ones erected will be very useful in reducing accidents involving pedestrians. Places, such as near schools, that experience high human traffic are ideal for speed bumps. If the speed of a vehicle is moderated, then the pedestrian is safe because the driver will be in a position to see them and warn them in advance, probably by hooting, in case of impending danger. If they are speeding, even the warning may not work as the pedestrian may not react in time to escape the crash. Therefore, the speed bump erection initiative will significantly reduce the number of pedestrians hit by speeding vehicles.

Another change that will be necessary for the community is increased vigilance from the relevant authorities. Some drivers tend to behave carelessly if they are not monitored. Police checks, therefore, need to be increased and made more effective so as to reprimand those who go against the traffic rules (Liblanc, 2011). This assertion is supported by Chen et al. (2016) who explain that apart from ensuring that roads are well maintained and resistant to skidding, police checks need to be increased to counter the violation of traffic rules. The adherence to traffic rules is not a choice but a compulsory duty for all drivers. According to Liblanc (2011), some drivers over speed their vehicles, others use mobile phones while driving, while still others, drive under the influence of alcohol, and this puts their lives and those of others at risk. This is wrong. Such drivers ought to be monitored and penalized through effective police checks so that they do not wreak havoc on the roads. People must, therefore, change their behavior on the roads so that motor vehicle-pedestrian accidents can be reduced. Police vigilance is, thus, very important in ensuring that no driver violates the traffic rules.

Additionally, stop signs and sidewalks are important in reducing the number of motor-vehicle-pedestrian accidents that occur within the community. The lack of stop signs significantly contributes to vehicle-pedestrian accidents (McAdam, 2019). This is because both the drivers and pedestrians have no clear directions on what to do at particular points. Sidewalks are also important as they facilitate easy movement on the roads in the community. According to Malloy et al. (2017) who strongly support the idea of sidewalks, communities ought to strictly adhere to ADA and the regulations that require them to maintain and repair sidewalks. By so doing, the pedestrians can be assured of their safety. This is because they will have secluded areas on the road where they can walk without the worry of being hit by an oncoming vehicle. On the other hand, drivers will be in a position to drive without having to keep on evading careless pedestrians. Consequently, the problem of motor vehicle-pedestrian accidents will be solved in the community. Therefore, with the appropriate sidewalks and stop signs, it is possible to reduce road accidents involving pedestrians.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it is clear that there is a possibility of reducing motor vehicle-pedestrian accidents if various changes are implemented in the community. Apart from sensitizing the pedestrians to be extra careful on the roads, the erection of speed bumps at the appropriate places, effective police vigilance, as well as the availability of stop signs and sidewalks are highly likely to help in mitigating road accidents involving pedestrians in the community. There are no shortcuts. Every driver must know that it is their responsibility to obey traffic rules and be careful while using the roads. No person has the monopoly of road use; thus, each one must mind the other road users. On their part, pedestrians, too, need to be vigilant so that they do not inconvenience the drivers and other road users. The ultimate goal is to reduce or, if possible, eliminate road accidents involving pedestrians. Therefore, workable solutions, as discussed in this essay, must be implemented if these accidents are to be reduced in the community as it gears towards change.

References

Arbogast, H., Patao, M., Demeter, N., Bachman, S., Devietti, E., Upperman, J. S., & Burke, R.

V. (2018). The Effectiveness of Installing a Speed Hump in Reducing Motor Vehicle Accidents Involving Pedestrians under the Age of 21. Journal of Transport & Health, 8, 30-34. Retrieved from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214140516303760

Chen, Y., Li, Y., King, M., Shi, Q., Wang, C., & Li, P. (2016). Identification Methods of Key

Contributing Factors in Crashes with High Numbers of Fatalities and Injuries in China. Traffic Injury Prevention, 17(8), 878-883. Retrieved from: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/15389588.2016.1174774

Levulyte, L., Baranyai, D., Sokolovskij, E., & Torok, A. (2017). Pedestrians' role in road accidents. International Journal for Traffic and Transport Engineering, 7(3), 328-341. Retrieved from: http://ijtte.com/uploads/2017-08-22/6d5cf703-9db3e0b2ijtte.2017.7 (3).04.pdf

Liblanc, C. (2011, April 23rd). Pedestrians Killed at An Alarming Rate In Midlands. The State

Retrieved from: https://www.thestate.com/news/local/article14392448.html

Malloy, R. P., Spencer, S., & Crane, S. (2017). Land Use Law and Sidewalk Requirements

Under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Retrieved from: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3019506

McAdam, B. (2019, January 25). Jury must decide if missing stop sign or dangerous driving caused fatal crash near Langham.