There’s a popular saying among those concerned with promoting public safety: “speed kills.” It refers to the fact that the injuries associated with motor vehicle accidents are directly related to the speed of the vehicles involved. However, not all accidents occur on multi-lane highways or in high-speed areas. Each year, hundreds of pedestrians are hurt or killed on low-speed, two-lane roads. It’s in such areas that an in-street pedestrian crosswalk sign can be particularly helpful.
Distracted Driving is on the Rise
Studies show that 3331 people were killed in crashes involving a distracted river in 2011 alone. Another 387,000 were injured in such wrecks. Also, while the term “distracted driving” is usually associated with cell phone use, it actually refers to a number of activities drivers perform while behind the wheel. These include, but are not limited to:
- Eating or drinking
- Talking to others in the vehicle
- Grooming themselves
- Reading
- Looking at maps
- Using a navigational device such as a GPS system
- Watching a video
- Adjusting a radio or climate control lever or knob
Many of the accidents that involve distracted drivers occur in places normally considered safe for pedestrians, such as areas with low speed limits and two-lane roads. Part of the reason for this is that both motorists and pedestrians are often less aware of their surroundings in such places, as they are not generally associated with hazardous driving conditions.
The Solution: an In-Street Pedestrian Crosswalk Sign
Studies show that an in-street pedestrian crosswalk sign is especially effective in these areas. It can greatly enhance the visibility of pedestrian crosswalks, while having a calming influence on local traffic patterns. Because of this, they play a vital supplementary role to other, more well-known safety measures, such as overhead signs, flashing beacons, and median strips. Their use should be encouraged as part of any well-thought out plan to enhancing public safety.
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