Los Angeles Drivers at High Risk of Killing Pedestrians

The city of Los Angeles is known as a bustling metropolis. Not only does it have a very large number of people but it is also known for its usually heavy traffic volume. With roadways weaving inside and outside of the city, it is not surprising that traffic activity there is well-documented. In fact, this West Coast city has been regarded as one of the worst cities in the United States when it comes to dealing with long traffic backups.

Along with traffic activity, the city of Los Angeles, with its large population, experiences heavy day-to-day pedestrian activity similar to New York City in the East Coast. With such massive pedestrian activity, it is already known to many that accidents involving them and other motor vehicles are commonplace. In fact, drivers in Los Angeles kill pedestrians at a higher rate than any other drivers in the United States.

This conclusion was a result of the study conducted by the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute. In the research study, it was revealed that pedestrian deaths in the Los Angeles area account for about one-third of all motor vehicle crash fatalities. This is nearly triple the 11.4 percent average of pedestrian accidents in the United States.

Compared to New York City, though, the “Big Apple” is a lot worse. There, nearly half (49.6 percent) of traffic deaths in motor vehicle crashes were pedestrians. The research institute used and examined accident data from the National Highway Traffic Administration (NHTSA), the California Highway Patrol (CHP), and the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles.

In Los Angeles, around 20 percent of road activity involves pedestrians, as well as bicyclists. However, according to Eric Bruins, planning and policy director for the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition, less than 1 percent of transportation funding in the L.A. County goes to road improvements that would benefit pedestrians and bicyclists.

Incidentally, a Los Angeles personal injury lawyer specializing in pedestrian accidents advises drivers to be careful and aware of pedestrians whenever they spot them on the road. As such, the expert attorney is hoping that the number of drivers at risk of killing pedestrians decrease over time through a considerable allocation of funds for road improvements.