Helpful Ways to Prevent Pedestrian Accidents in Austin

Now that daylight saving time has passed, spring is officially here, and summer is just around the corner. For Austin residents, this signals the beginning of festival season, which began with South by Southwest (SXSW). While festival season is a time of great joy and camaraderie, it is also a dangerous time for pedestrians. The Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) reports that the number of pedestrian fatalities in Texas increased by 12 percent in 2018. A good portion of these fatalities occurred in urban areas during the spring and summer seasons. If you are suffering from injuries after a pedestrian accident at a concert or festival, then an Austin pedestrian accident attorney will help you recover financial compensation.

Our Austin pedestrian accident law firm has developed a list of helpful ways to prevent pedestrian accidents. It includes:

• Avoiding excessive alcohol consumption: During the festival season, it is natural for Austin residents to celebrate and have a couple of cocktails. However, having too much to drink can lead to fatal consequences. For example, a driver could lose control of his or her vehicle and crash into an innocent bystander. A pedestrian could also lose control of his or her body and stumble into oncoming traffic. Both of these situations can be avoided if festival attendees practice self-control and avoid consuming excessive amounts of alcohol.
• Eliminating distracted driving: According to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), nearly 1 in 5 crashes involve distracted driving in the state. These numbers increase significantly when you focus solely on pedestrian accidents. Naturally, the most common culprit of distracted driving accidents involves the usage of smartphones while driving. However, many solutions that drivers use to combat this problem are insufficient and ignore scientific data. For instance, many people use voice command technology to send text messages while driving. While this appears to solve the problem, drivers must understand that your mind cannot do two things at once. By using voice command technology to send a text message, you are still taking some of your focus away from the road. A better solution would be to use a smartphone app that sends auto-reply texts when you are behind the wheel. For iPhone users, you can download AutoSender – Auto Text Later or follow this guide and create an auto-reply text directly from your smartphone.
• Driving at an appropriate speed: While drivers should always respect the speed limit, it is also important to practice situational driving. If you are driving in a neighborhood, around a school or in an urban area, then you should take extra precaution. With summer fast approaching, the city of Austin will see an increase in pedestrian traffic. Drivers must ensure that they are taking the safety of others into consideration and remain vigilant when behind the wheel. Similarly, it is also important for pedestrians to take their own safety seriously when traveling in urban areas. Pedestrian accidents are often highly injurious, and many people fail to make a full recovery after their accident. You should always use your common sense and follow the rules of the road when walking in Austin.
• Reporting dangerous activities or problematic intersections: In conjunction with practicing driver and pedestrian safety, Austin residents must also speak out when they notice something wrong. For example, you might notice that a certain intersection within the city is unsafe for pedestrians. Most people who notice something of this magnitude either say nothing or do not know where to report this information. In Texas, you can contact TxDOT and report any issues pertaining to pedestrian safety. State and local governments can then take measures to improve the safety of that particular road or intersection. Our Austin pedestrian accident law firm will help you contact your local or state government officials and begin improving conditions for pedestrians.

Involved in a Pedestrian Accident? Seek the Advice of an Austin Pedestrian Accident Attorney

With the amount of festivals and conferences taking place in Austin, it is paramount that pedestrians feel safe when traveling. By taking preventative measures, both drivers and pedestrians can work together to decrease the number of pedestrian accidents.

Our Austin pedestrian accident attorneys want everyone to enjoy walking around the city and remain accident free. If you are involved in a pedestrian accident after attending a festival, then you should contact the Law Offices of Aaron Allison today at (512)474-8346 and schedule a free initial consultation. You can also contact us online and tell us more about your pedestrian accident.