While attempting to cross Sugar Creek Road, a Charlotte pedestrian has died after an SUV struck him early Saturday morning. Police state that man darted out into traffic at 1:25 a.m. in front of a 1997 Ford Expedition. This SUV struck and fatally hit him, according to a Charlotte-Mecklenburg police news release.
Emergency responders transported the dying man to a Carolina Medical Center, where he passed away from his multiple severe injuries. It has been reported that the driver of the SUV was not injured in any way. The Police are in the process of notifying the victim’s family before releasing their name.
It’s especially important to watch out for children’s safety when they’re walking. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 4,784,881 pedestrians in the United States died from traffic-related injuries in 2006, and another 614,000 were non–fatally injured. Nearly one out of every five children ages five to nine years old who died in traffic were pedestrians. Child pedestrians are at higher risk for injuries than adults for several reasons:
1. Size
Kids’ smaller size makes them difficult for drivers to see, especially if they’re standing between parked cars on the side of the road.
2. Inability to Judge Distances and Speeds
Because of their age and developmental stage, it’s harder for them to judge distances and vehicle speeds. This can lead them to misjudge when it’s safe to cross the street.
3. Lack of Experience with Traffic Rules
Kids’ young age and developmental stage can make it hard for them to apply traffic rules in real–life settings. Also, drivers and child pedestrians may each assume, incorrectly, that the other will yield the right–of-way.
BM