Texas I-35 Deadly for Pedestrians

Austin, TX (Law Firm Newswire) January 9, 2017 – Crossing the road in Texas can be a deadly endeavor. Pedestrian fatalities have been on the rise for a number of years.

Texas holds the record for: the highest number of DWI deaths in the country and a shocking number of pedestrian deaths. California, Florida, Texas and New York accounted for 42 percent of pedestrian deaths between January and June of 2015. Other states with the highest rate of pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 residents were Florida, 1.35; Arizona, 1.27; Delaware, 1.27; South Carolina, 1.12; Mississippi, 1.07; Oregon, 1.04, District of Columbia, 1.04 and New Mexico, 1.01.

Why are pedestrians killed at such an alarming rate? Many safety pundits point to distracted walking and driving. In addition, driving while intoxicated and walking under the influence are other reasons for a rise in pedestrian deaths.

Consider the case of a man who recently died on I-35 while attempting to cross the road. In Texas, it is illegal to cross a highway on foot. In this particular case, it appears the deceased may have been inebriated. Many pedestrians, faced with long hikes to a crosswalk or a designated crossing, opt for a shortcut across a busy highway. Some make it across. Others do not.

The recent death occurred on the 2200 block of S. I-35; police shut down the northbound lanes for two hours to investigate how the pedestrian died. He was struck by a pickup truck hauling a trailer. Eyewitnesses indicated he had been attempting to cross from the east to the west side of the road.

“Regardless of the reason for attempting to cross a busy interstate highway, the fact remains that pedestrian deaths are steadily increasing,” said Austin auto accident lawyer, Brooks Schuelke. “Is there a solution to the rising number of deaths? Would passing laws in relation to distracted walking prevent any further deaths?”

If someone is going to drive or walk while under the influence or while distracted, accidents are going to keep happening. The human factor is the most difficult to control in any attempt to keep people safe. “And while laws can be passed banning this and that behavior, if people choose not to follow them, then the consequences for not following them may result in serious injuries or death.”

Learn more at http://www.civtrial.com