Spate of Pedestrian Deaths and Injuries in Hampton, VA Prompts Police Advice

Police in Hampton, Virginia (VA) have issued safety guidelines for pedestrians and drivers after two deaths in the city in the space of a week.

A woman was struck by a vehicle and killed on April 16 while attempting to cross Todds Lane at Carr Lane, in Hampton, Virginia (VA), the Virginian-Pilot reported. Just hours earlier our experienced Virginia car accident attorneys reported on how a man in a wheelchair was killed crossing a road in Hampton. The 58-year-old man was struck while crossing Mercury Boulevard, the Daily Press reported.

Sadly our experienced Virginia car accident injury attorneys see numerous instances like this in which pedestrians suffer serious injuries and even death. Earlier this year, a man walking down Victory Boulevard in Portsmouth, Virginia, VA  was killed after he was struck by a vehicle, which then left the scene, police said.

The spate of pedestrian related accidents in Hampton in April, also included a pedestrian accident on Old Buckroe Road that sent a man to hospital with serious injuries.

In a recent post to our Virginia accident attorneys' Hampton, VA Car & Truck Accident Injury Lawyers blog, my colleague Kevin Duffan noted the dangers of crossing roads.

Hampton Police Division have issued these safety tips to drivers and pedestrians:

• Pedestrians should use sidewalks and crosswalks, when available, where Virginia (VA) law provides more protection, and obey pedestrian signals.
• Where no sidewalks are provided, it is usually safer to walk facing road traffic.
• Make it easy for drivers to see you - wear light colors and wear retro-reflective material. Carry a flash light at night and walk in well lit areas.
• Be wary of drivers and avoid alcohol and drug use.
• Use extra caution when crossing multiple-lane, higher speed streets.

Drivers should keep a lookout and slow down if they can't see clearly.

• When entering a crosswalk area, drive slowly and be prepared to stop.
• Stop for pedestrians who are in a crosswalk, even if it is not marked.
• Do not overtake and pass other vehicles stopped for pedestrians.
• Be especially attentive around schools and in neighborhoods where children are active.

We have seen an upsurge in injuries to pedestrians in recent years.

According to the National Highway and Safety Administration in 2009, 4,092 pedestrians were killed and an estimated 59,000 were injured in traffic crashes in the United States. On average, a pedestrian was killed every two hours and injured every nine minutes in traffic crashes.

DM

See this pedestrian safety video.