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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDocumentation_Workshop_Tab 03_04/03/2017 Pedestrian deaths spiked in 2016; distraction cited http: // ireader. olivesoftware. com / Olive /iReader/PalmBeachPost/Share... PUBLIC SAFETY • Pedestr ea th s • � e in 2016; d• �s rac ion c� e By Joan Lowy Associated Press WASHINGTON Pedestrian deaths are climbing faster than motorist fatalities, reaching nearly 6,000 deaths last year 1 of 3 3/31/2017 8:42 AM Pedestrian deaths spiked in 2016; distraction cited http : / /ireader.olivesoftware.com/ Olive /iReader/PahnBeachPost/Share... the highest total in more than two decades, according to an analysis of preliminary state data released Thursday. Increased driving due to an improved economy, lower gas prices and more walking for exercise and environmental factors are some of the likely reasons behind the estimated 11 percent spike in pedestrian fatalities in 2016. The figures were prepared for the Governors Highway Safety Association, which represents state highway safety offices. But researchers say they think the biggest factor may be more drivers and walkers distracted by cellphones and other electronic devices, although that's hard to confirm. Walking and miles driven are up only a few percentage points, and are unlikely to account for most of the surge in pedestrian deaths, said Richard Retting, safety director for Sam Schwartz Transportation Consultants and the author of the report. Meanwhile, texting and use of wireless devices have exploded, he said. "It's the only factor that seems to indicate a dramatic change in how people behave," Retting said. The report is based on data from all states and the District of Columbia for the first six months of 2016 and extrapolated for the rest of the year. It shows the largest annual increase in both the number and percentage of pedestrian fatalities in the more than 40 years those national records on such deaths have been kept, with the second - largest increase occurring in 2015. Pedestrian deaths as a share of total motor vehicle crash deaths increased from 11 percent in 2006 to 15 percent in 2015. "This latest data shows that the U.S. isn't meeting the mark on keeping pedestrians safe on our roadways," said Jonathan 2 of 3 3/31/2017 8:42 AM Pedestrian deaths spiked in 2016; distraction cited http : / /ireader.olivesoftware.com/ Olive /iReader/PahnBeachPost/Share... Adkins, the safety association's executive director. "Every one of these lives represents a loved one not coming home tonight, which is absolutely unacceptable." Traffic fatalities overall jumped 6 percent last year, pushing deaths on U.S. roads to their highest level in nearly a decade and erasing improvements made during the Great Recession and economic recovery, according to data released last month by the National Safety Council, a leading safety organization. The council estimates there were more than 40,200 traffic deaths in 2016. The last time there were more than 40,000 fatalities in a single year was in 2007, just before the economy tanked. There were 41,000 deaths that year. But pedestrian deaths are sharply outpacing fatalities overall, climbing 25 percent from 2010 to 2015, according to Retting's research. Total traffic deaths increased about 6 percent over the same period. "We cannot look at distracted driving solely as an in- vehicle issue," said Kelly Nantel, a spokeswoman for the safety council. "That discounts the impact distraction could have on pedestrians. "Just as we need drivers to be alert, pedestrians have to be, too." 3 of 3 3/31/2017 8:42 AM Few motorists aware of Florida law to stop at crosswalks with signs I... http: / /www.tampabay.com/ news /publicsafety/few- motorists - aware- of -... Tana Eau Time WINNER OF 12 PULITZER PRIZES Few motorists aware of Florida law to stop at crosswalks with signs By Danny Valentine, Times Staff Writer Wednesday, December 1, 2010 8:42pm Hoping to combat Florida's history of Orrrs dangerous streets and pedestrian fatalities, state lawmakers passed legislation in 2008 requiring motorists to stop at most pedestrian crosswalks. 1 it More than two years later, few people even know about it The law requires drivers to stop, not just yield, at crosswalks with traffic signals or m= signs. But signs across the Tampa Bay area still tell drivers to "yield for peds," and some communities have even erected new signs that do not reflect current law. A Hillsborough County transportation planner said she could only think of one place where a sign informed drivers to stop. And in St. Petersburg recently, police gave warnings to motorists advising them to yield to pedestrians. "Why are we seeing new signs that say yield when that is not the law ?" said state Rep. Rick Kriseman, D -St. Petersburg, who sponsored the bill in the House. "The frustration is obvious." Traffic experts say the correct signs are a vital part of improving crosswalk safety in one of the most dangerous states for pedestrians. In 2009, Florida had 466 pedestrian fatalities, the highest pedestrian fatality rate in the country, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The definition of yielding can be ambiguous, they say. It could mean the car slows, comes to a rolling stop or stops completely. That creates a cat- and -mouse game between pedestrian and driver, said Brian Smith, executive director of the Metropolitan Planning Organization in Pinellas. 1 of 3 3/31/2017 12:00 PM Few motorists aware of Florida law to stop at crosswalks with signs 1... http: / /www.tampabay.com/ news /publicsafety/few- motorists - aware- of -... "It is confusing" Smith said. "We were trying to make it black and white." Before the bill was drafted, Smith's organization researched how pedestrians could more easily cross roadways, determining that the "yield" issue was key. The old law "does not give a pedestrian a clear indication as to whether the vehicle should go first or whether they should let the vehicle pass before proceeding," the group wrote to Sen. Mike Fasano, R -New Port Richey, in 2007. "When people think about yielding, they look at it as, 'I have room,' " said St. Petersburg police traffic commander Bill Korinek. Kriseman said it has been a long battle to get the Florida Department of Transportation to inform agencies about the change. As the organization in charge of transportation in Florida, he said it is FDOT's responsibility to see that counties implement the change. "Certainly, DOT didn't make it a priority to get the message out," Kriseman said. FDOT recently acknowledged that the law was not being implemented uniformly. "There was a big inconsistency," said Ananth Prasad, FDOT's assistant secretary. On Nov. 17, the agency adopted a policy to replace all signs for state roads to reflect the change in law, he said. They also resolved to work with local municipalities to implement the change statewide. St. Petersburg is gradually switching out the signs as the old ones need replacing, said Joe Kubicki, director of transportation and parking for the city. Even though some correct signs are out there, he said he doesn't think many people know about the change. Michele Ogilvie, a transportation planner with the Hillsborough County Metropolitan Planning Organization agreed. She said she only knows of one sign informing motorists to stop. "I know to do it because I read the law and said, "Oh, okay," she said. Informing the public about the change was more difficult because the bill didn't come with funding to do so, Kriseman said. He initially proposed increasing fines for motorists who didn't stop for pedestrians at intersections, but it was cut out of the final version, he said. Kriseman said the change needs to be a high priority. Crashes involving pedestrians account for more than 20 percent of traffic fatalities in Tampa Bay, compared with about 11 percent across the country. More than 1,0oo pedestrian- involved crashes are reported every year in Tampa Bay. "We knew it was going to be difficult to get the word out," said Kriseman. "Clearly, that's exactly what happened. Danny Valentine can be reached at dvalentine@sptimes.com or (727) 893 - 8804. Few motorists aware of Florida law to stop at crosswalks with signs 12/01/10 Photo reprints 1 Article reprints © 2017 Tampa Bay Times 0 Commenting Guidelines Abuse Policy SPONSORED CONTENT 2 of 3 3/31/2017 12:00 PM Statutes & Constitution :View Statutes : Online Sunshine http: / /www.leg.state.fl.us/ statutes / index .cfm ?App_mode= Display_Sta... Select Year: 2016 The 2016 Florida Statutes Title XXIII Chapter 316 View Entire Chapter MOTOR VEHICLES STATE UNIFORM TRAFFIC CONTROL 316.130 Pedestrians; traffic regulations. — (1) A pedestrian shall obey the instructions of any official traffic control device specifically applicable to the pedestrian unless otherwise directed by a police officer. (2) Pedestrians shall be subject to traffic control signals at intersections as provided in s. 316.075, but at all other places pedestrians shall be accorded the privileges and be subject to the restrictions stated in this chapter. (3) Where sidewalks are provided, no pedestrian shall, unless required by other circumstances, walk along and upon the portion of a roadway paved for vehicular traffic. (4) Where sidewalks are not provided, any pedestrian walking along and upon a highway shalt, when practicable, walk only on the shoulder on the left side of the roadway in relation to the pedestrian's direction of travel, facing traffic which may approach from the opposite direction. (5) No person shall stand in the portion of a roadway paved for vehicular traffic for the purpose of soliciting a ride, employment, or business from the occupant of any vehicle. (6) No person shall stand on or in proximity to a street or highway for the purpose of soliciting the watching or guarding of any vehicle while parked or about to be parked on a street or highway. (7)(a) The driver of a vehicle at an intersection that has a traffic control signal in place shall stop before entering the crosswalk and remain stopped to allow a pedestrian, with a permitted signal, to cross a roadway when the pedestrian is in the crosswalk or steps into the crosswalk and is upon the half of the roadway upon which the vehicle is traveling or when the pedestrian is approaching so closely from the opposite half of the roadway as to be in danger. (b) The driver of a vehicle at any crosswalk where signage so indicates shall stop and remain stopped to allow a pedestrian to cross a roadway when the pedestrian is in the crosswalk or steps into the crosswalk and is upon the half of the roadway upon which the vehicle is traveling or when the pedestrian is approaching so closely from the opposite half of the roadway as to be in danger. (c) When traffic control signals are not in place or in operation and there is no signage indicating otherwise, the driver of a vehicle shall yield the right -of -way, slowing down or stopping if need be to so yield, to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within a crosswalk when the pedestrian is upon the half of the roadway upon which the vehicle is traveling or when the pedestrian is approaching so closely from the opposite half of the roadway as to be in danger. Any pedestrian crossing a roadway at a point where a pedestrian tunnel or overhead pedestrian crossing has been provided shall yield the right -of -way to all vehicles upon the roadway. (8) No pedestrian shall suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety and walk or run into the path of a vehicle which is so close that it is impossible for the driver to yield. (9) Whenever any vehicle is stopped at a marked crosswalk or at any unmarked crosswalk at an intersection to permit a pedestrian to cross the roadway, the driver of any other vehicle approaching from 1 of 2 3/31/2017 12:01 PM Statutes & Constitution :View Statutes : Online Sunshine http: / /www.leg.state.fl.us /statutes/ index .cfrn ?App_mode= Display_Sta... the rear shall not overtake and pass such stopped vehicle. (10) Every pedestrian crossing a roadway at any point other than within a marked crosswalk or within an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection shalt yield the right -of -way to all vehicles upon the roadway. (11) Between adjacent intersections at which traffic control signals are in operation, pedestrians shall not cross at any place except in a marked crosswalk. (12) No pedestrian shall, except in a marked crosswalk, cross a roadway at any other place than by a route at right angles to the curb or by the shortest route to the opposite curb. (13) Pedestrians shall move, whenever practicable, upon the right half of crosswalks. (14) No pedestrian shall cross a roadway intersection diagonally unless authorized by official traffic control devices, and, when authorized to cross diagonally, pedestrians shall cross only in accordance with the official traffic control devices pertaining to such crossing movements. (15) Notwithstanding other provisions of this chapter, every driver of a vehicle shall exercise due care to avoid colliding with any pedestrian or any person propelling a human - powered vehicle and give warning when necessary and exercise proper precaution upon observing any child or any obviously confused or incapacitated person. (16) No pedestrian shall enter or remain upon any bridge or approach thereto beyond the bridge signal, gate, or barrier after a bridge operation signal indication has been given. No pedestrian shall pass through, around, over, or under any crossing gate or barrier at a railroad grade crossing or bridge while such gate or barrier is closed or is being opened or closed. (17) No pedestrian may jump or dive from a publicly owned bridge. Nothing in this provision requires the state or any political subdivision of the state to post signs notifying the public of this provision. The failure to post a sign may not be construed by any court to create liability on the part of the state or any of its political subdivisions for injuries sustained as a result of jumping or diving from a bridge in violation of this subsection. (18) No pedestrian shall walk upon a limited access facility or a ramp connecting a limited access facility to any other street or highway; however, this subsection does not apply to maintenance personnel of any governmental subdivision. (19) A violation of this section is a noncriminal traffic infraction, punishable pursuant to chapter 318 as either a pedestrian violation or, if the infraction resulted from the operation of a vehicle, as a moving violation. History. —s. 1, ch. 71 -135; ss. 1, 8, ch. 76 -31; s. 2, ch. 83 -68; ss. 1, 2, ch. 83 -74; s. 3, ch. 84 -309; s. 306, ch. 95 -148; s. 123, ch. 99 -248; s. 2, ch. 2008 -33. Note.— Former s. 316.057. 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