Official: 70 percent of pedestrian fatalities occur at night
Last Modified: Thursday, July 26, 2012 3:33 PM
By Natalie Stewart / American Press
A fatal crash involving a pedestrian on Sunday marked the fourth for Louisiana State Police Troop D this year, according to a Troop D spokesman.
According to state law, pedestrians are required to walk on sidewalks when they are present and against the direction of traffic.
“When there is no sidewalk,” James Anderson said, “pedestrians should walk as close to the edge of the road as possible so they aren’t close to moving vehicles.”
Anderson said nearly 70 percent of all pedestrian fatalities happen at night.
“If someone is going to be walking, to avoid a pedestrian/vehicle accident they should have on light colored or reflective clothing,” he said. “It’s also recommended that pedestrians carry a flashlight.”
In Sunday’s fatality, 54-year-old Pamela Benniefiel was crossing U.S. 171 at You Winn Road in Moss Bluff when she was struck by a northbound vehicle traveling on 171.
“The walking as close to the edge of the road and against traffic aren’t necessarily applicable in this situation because to was walking perpendicular to traffic to cross the street,” Anderson said. “However, pedestrians should always be aware when crossing any street that even though a vehicle may not be in sight it should be assumed that one could appear at any time.”
Anderson said for drivers to avoid pedestrian collisions, they should be alert at all times while driving.
“Distracted and inattentive driving is the number one cause of accidents in the state of Louisiana,” he said. “Drivers should obey traffic laws and always be alert, and watch for pedestrians at all times.”
Anderson said the accidents that are a result of distracted driving are most common with drivers in the 16-20 age range.
“There are a lot of technological things now taking attention away from the roadway and driving, or there will be friends in the car,” he said. “We see people that just aren’t paying attention all the time and people need to remember that it’s illegal to text and drive.”
Anderson said state law also requires that drivers “make an effort not to hit pedestrians.”
“It’s also a law that pedestrians shouldn’t leave a curb or place of safety to walk in the path of a passing vehicle,” he said. “It’s a shared responsibility for everyone on the road. Four accidents is four too many, we hope to have no more for the rest of the year.”
Posted By: Danielle Edwards Mitchell On: 7/26/2012
Title: We need more sidewalks and better infrastructure in Lake Charles
Bottom line is, we can avoid more pedestrian accidents if the cheap**s city of Lake Charles put more sidewalks in and around the city at leas. ton main
streets and intersections. It never seems to amaze me how many people I see walking and riding bikes
on 5th ave traveling south towards Mcneese St. no sidewalk. On Lake st near Prien Lake Rd I see skaters skateboarding. Again no sidewalk. The list is endless!!! We (Louisiana and more specifically SWLA) are 10 years behind other cities in other states in referece to infrastructure just look at the I-10 Bridge. And lets not mention the roads, they're beyond terrible. And last but not least, whats up with the drainage around here. It rains for two days the whole city be underwater. Stop investing in oil and casinos and invest in infrastructure and education. These politicians got it all wrong!!!!
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