Study Argues for 20 MPH Speed Limits for City Streets

ProPublica, an investigative news nonprofit, published an interactive graph last week that makes the argument that lowering the speed limit on city streets even slightly could be the difference between life and death. ProPublica’s Lena Groeger created a chart which showed the chances of survival decreasing as motorist speeds increased.

According to the data, the average pedestrian struck by a driver traveling at 20 miles per hour has a 93% chance of surviving. “Once cars reach a certain speed (just above 20 mph), they rapidly become more deadly. A person is about 70% more likely to be killed if they’re struck by a vehicle traveling at 30 mph compared to 25 mph” Groeger explained. 

About 1 out of 5 pedestrians will not survive a collision which takes place at 30 mph. While the statistics for the average-aged person are high enough, the statistics related to elderly people are even more staggering. “While it might be common sense that faster cars are deadlier, what’s particularly striking to me is how much more deadly they are for older folks. A 70-year-old hit by a car going 35 mph is about as likely to be killed as a 30-year-old hit by a car going 45 mph (in both cases it’s about a 50/50 chance),” Groeger wrote. 

As you can see in the graph below which was published by ProPublica, when a pedestrian collides with a car that is travelling at 40 mph, 45% of people of all ages will not survive, and 70% of older pedestrians will also not survive. ProPublica’s study not only points out the dangers of collisions at high speeds, but it also points out the advantages to lowering the speed limit in areas with high foot and bicycle traffic. Slower speeds reduces stopping distances, which can make it easier for drivers to come to a complete stop before striking somebody on the road. 

In 2010, citizens of Warrington, England created a “20’s Plenty” campaign, which was aimed at getting speed limits in the city down to 20 mph. In the time since the start of the campaign, more than 14 million residents of the UK now live on streets with speed limits of 20 mph or less, according to 20’s Plenty founder Rod King. 

While campaigns around the world are looking to reduce speed limits, the Michigan state legislature has been debating the merits of raising the highway speed limit since February. The Republican-controlled Michigan House began to discuss a package of bills that would allow for speed limits of 75 to 80 mph on rural freeways. Discussion of these types of speed increases has hit a speed bump however, as a May 2016 report came out to reveal a 10 percent increase in traffic fatalities in 2015. 

Drivers should always be aware of speed limits and traffic signs while on the road, but they should be especially cautious when driving through a busy city street or residential area. As the data shows, it doesn't take much speed to inflict serious harm on a pedestrian. If you or somebody you know has been struck by a car, call The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC. Pedestrians have rights and our attorneys will fight to get them the help they need. Call us today, at 844.4MI.FIRM for a free consultation.

Pokemon Go Causing Havoc for Drivers & Pedestrians?

In case you haven’t heard, or haven’t “caught them all,” Pokemon Go has swept the nation. The immensely popular augmented-reality game played on a smartphone app and available on iOS and Android has captivated the attention of casual and dedicated young and old, but unfortunately there have been reports of dangerous side effects. 

The free game, which was launched on July 6, 2016 has already surpassed “Candy Crush Saga” as the biggest mobile game in United States history with millions of active daily users. Pokemon Go has separated itself from other video games because it encourages players to get outside and walk in an effort to find virtual characters based on a GPS-powered map that reflects the real world location in which players are standing. 

While you will see players venturing around the neighborhood park or downtown streets by foot, players are also driving to different locations which is causing major problems. On July 12, 2016 an illegally parked car on Texas A&M University’s campus was struck from behind after the driver had parked and exited the car to catch a Pokemon sustaining injuries in the process.

The following day in Auburn, New York, 28-year-old Steven Cary crashed his car into a tree while playing Pokemon Go.  The distracted driver suffered minor injuries but the vehicle sustained major damage due to the crash.

“a fun game can have tragic real-world consequences”

Incidents such as these have forced authorities to create new policies and guidelines for players. Due to a large amount of photos being taken of Pokemon characters from behind the wheel, the New York Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has been issuing public safety warnings. DMV Executive Deputy Commissioner Terri Egan reminded the public that “a fun game can have tragic real-world consequences,” and asked New Yorkers to “put their phones down instead of playing the popular Pokemon Go game while behind the wheel or walking near or across roadways.” According to The Daily Beast, local police departments are regularly posting reminders about the dangers of Pokemon Go, “Don’t catch and drive” messages have been posted on many public safety Facebook and Twitter feeds, and even highway emergency notices have read “Don’t Pokemon and Drive.”

Unfortunately, it’s not just car accidents that have public safety officials concerned. Last Wednesday, firefighters were called to rescue two men in North San Diego County, California who had walked off a cliff while playing the game, causing injuries. The two men were not playing the game together, but had the same result. Firefighters only found the second man, who was unconscious a few feet below. 

Catching Pokemon...and Staying Safe

The Frankenmuth (Michigan) Police Department released a full statement urging parents to talk with their children about the dangers of playing the game, and reminded drivers that it’s never a good idea to drive and play at the same time. They have also provided the public with safety tips for “catching them all”:

  • Be aware of your surroundings. Look up and be aware of who is around you besides Pokemon. 
  • Parents limit places kids can go. Set boundaries and timelines to avoid danger areas where children will venture unattended and require to routinely check in using their cell phone. 
  • Don’t “Pokemon Go” and drive: Catching Pikachu isn’t worth crashing. 
  • Tell people where you’re going and play in a group and stay with them. 
  • Don’t trespass it is not just disrespectful...it can be dangerous. People might call the police if you enter private property and your Pokemon can’t help you. 
  • If you are stopped by police: show them you are playing a game since more than likely they are responding to a suspicious person call which has been called into 911 by a citizen. 

Distracted driving is a big problem in the United States without Pokemon Go, but the game according to some, has added cause for drivers to be extra caution while out on the road. If you or somebody you know has been injured in an accident because the driver was distracted playing Pokemon Go or any other reason, call The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC. Speak to an experienced lawyer who will fight for you to get the appropriate aid needed, including wage loss recovery, medical transportation, and in many cases, pain and suffering compensation. Call us today, at 844.4MI.FIRM for a free legal consultation. 

Pedestrian Hit By Ann Arbor Bus

A Pedestrian faces minor facial injuries after a run in with an Ann Arbor, Michgian white bus this past Tuesday, March 5, 2016. MLive reported that the incident occurred around 12:30 P.M. when a pedestrian walked out into traffic and was struck by a bus on the corner of East Liberty Street and South Fourth Street. Although the jay-walker suffered minor facial injuries, they refused any treatment. The scene was cleared by 12:45 P.M. and no citations were issued for the incident, but police implied that the collision was the pedestrian's fault because they walked into oncoming traffic.

Car Crash Pedestrian Lawyer

Ann Arbor is known for its jaywalking culture, especially around the University of Michigan’s campus. Students can be seen crossing the road wherever they feel and whenever they feel, even around oncoming traffic. This can be especially dangerous, when there is alcohol involved or at night when visibility is low and pedestrians are unlikely to be wearing reflective clothing. 

The University of Michigan has recently began making an attempt to make crossing the street safer for pedestrians, adding two separate cross walks on major streets this past year. One is on State Street and is very well marked with reflective signs and is very well lit, while the other is on South University and has flashing lights when a pedestrian hits the cross button signaling to drivers that someone is about to cross.

Pedestrian Car Crash Lawyer

Even with this new technology it is very important for drivers to always check for pedestrians diligently when driving in areas like Ann Arbor, especially around peak class times when students are out and about. On the other hand, it is also very important for pedestrians to make use of the many crosswalks that the University has put in place for walkers, instead of jaywalking. Using crosswalks allows pedestrians a far more likely chance at being spotted by a car and therefore a far more likely chance to avoid being hit by a vehicle. It is also important for pedestrians to control the volume of any music or audio that they maybe listening to if they have headphones in, especially when crossing the street. Not being able to hear an approaching car or a changing signal can easily result in a pedestrian-automobile collision.

Drivers in cities like Ann Arbor which have a similar jaywalking culture need to be very diligent to ensure they are always looking out for pedestrians and bicycle riders. Pedestrians, in turn, need to ensure they use cross walks and also should not jaywalk unless it is completely necessary, and should always look out for vehicles no matter where they are crossing the street.

If you or someone you know has been injured in an auto accident, call The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC. Our attorneys are highly experienced in handling all types of personal injury cases, including pedestrian collisions. Call us today, at 844.4MI.FIRM for a free consultation.