Traffic accidents continue to rise in Florida, and while two cars or a truck colliding can be catastrophic, a pedestrian may have little chance when facing 4,000 pounds or more of metal coming at them at a relatively high speed. Unfortunately, pedestrian deaths have been at an all-time high, too, and the trend is continuing in a disturbing manner according to recent news stating that Florida harbors nine of twenty of the most dangerous places in the US to be a pedestrian, listing the Bradenton-Sarasota-North Port metro area as number four.

Still ranking as the most dangerous place to travel on foot, Florida has a growing population and continues to be extremely popular with tourists who may not be as familiar with the hazards of walking while on vacation. The west coast was targeted in a recent study from Smart Growth America and the National Complete Streets Coalition. The danger levels in being a pedestrian in an area like Bradenton were measured by the number of fatalities, along with considering how many people live there, and how many commute to work on foot.

The numbers are startling too, showing a 35.7 percent increase in pedestrian deaths from 2008-2017, with almost 50,000 deaths. As the Bradenton Herald points out, this is over 13 people killed per day, or one every hour and 46 minutes!

“It’s the equivalent of a jumbo jet full of people dying every single month,” states the report. “Unlike traffic fatalities for motor vehicle occupants, which decreased 6.1 percent between 2008 and 2017, pedestrian deaths have been steadily increasing since 2009.”

There were 194 pedestrian fatalities in Bradenton from 2008-2017.

“Why is this happening?” asked the authors of the report. “We’re not walking more and we’re only driving slightly more than we were back in 2008. What is happening is that our streets, which we designed for the movement of vehicles, haven’t changed. In fact, we are continuing to design streets that are dangerous for all people.”

Such fatalities, including those associated with bicyclists, point to poor infrastructure that needs to be improved, along with the continued popularity of SUVs and trucks which pose even more threat to those on foot or on two wheels.

If you or a loved one have been affected by a pedestrian accident injury caused by the negligence of others, contact Heintz Law today. Our attorneys have helped victims from Bradenton, Sarasota, and all over Florida get compensation for their damages and medical expenses. Call us for a free consultation now at 941-748-2916 or contact us online. We are here to help, and if you cannot come to us, we will come to you.

All blogs are written on behalf of Heintz Law for informational purposes. These articles should not, however, be considered legal advice, or in any way responsible for creating an attorney/client relationship.