With all of the advancements in technology, such as GPS systems that give traffic updates, back-up cameras and auto-braking systems, one might assume that pedestrian accidents would be dropping in the United States. However, according to a recent study, they've actually been going up, and the change has been rather dramatic.
The study found that the pedestrian deaths in car accidents were higher now than they have been in four decades. When looking at fatal accidents, about 15 percent of those who are killed are pedestrians.
The rise has been very recent. Between 2014 and 2015, the number of pedestrian deaths went up by 10 percent.
Interestingly, some experts blamed the economy, saying that deadly accidents were more common as things got better economically around the country. When people had more money to spend, they were more likely to be out at night, to take vacations and to go out on the weekends. This natural increase in travel means that more people will be killed even if the number of accidents per vehicles miles traveled stayed exactly the same.
It has also been speculated that more of the drivers on the road may have been teens, with extra money in their pockets that they wanted to spend. Statistically speaking, inexperienced teens are some of the most dangerous drivers. This too could lead to a surge in accidents, overall deaths and pedestrian deaths.
Have you lost a loved one in an accident in Wisconsin? If so, you need to know if you have a right to compensation, and you must know all of the legal steps to take.
Source: Huffington Post, "U.S. Pedestrian Deaths From Car Crashes Reach Highest Number In Four Decades," accessed March 11, 2016