Town leaders in Maggie Valley are taking steps to improve pedestrian safety on a busy roadway. According to WLOS ABC News Channel 13, a pedestrian safety plan is moving forward for Soco Road in the Haywood County town. Last summer, Maggie Valley received a $2.4 million grant from the Department of Transportation (DOT) for traffic calming measures along the busy main roadway. Design funding has been approved, and a plan is moving forward. Modernized crosswalks, caution lights and bike lanes are going to be implemented in the area. The plan is expected to take between three and five years to complete.
U.S. Pedestrian Crash Facts
- 5,376 pedestrians were killed in traffic crashes in 2015.
- In 2015, an estimated 70,000 pedestrians were injured in traffic crashes.
- On average in 2015, one pedestrian was killed every 1.6 hours and injured every 7.5 minutes.
- In 2015, pedestrian deaths accounted for 15 percent of all traffic crash fatalities.
- In 2015, more than one-fifth (21 percent) of the children 14 years old and younger killed in traffic crashes were pedestrians.
Improving Pedestrian Safety
Pedestrian safety is a topic that impacts everybody. Whether you walk to work or school or take the occasional stroll around your neighborhood, it’s important to ensure roadways and walking paths are safe for pedestrians. Even with crosswalks and sidewalks, it’s critical for motorists to exercise safe driving behaviors. Making a commitment to distraction-free driving is the first step in making roads safe for all types of roadway users.
Pedestrian Accidents in Asheville
After any kind of pedestrian accident involving a motor vehicle, it’s a good idea to speak with a lawyer about your claim. Even collisions at relatively low speeds can be devastating or catastrophic for pedestrians involved. It doesn’t take much of an impact to seriously injure a pedestrian. While community efforts and safety technology certainly do increase safety, pedestrians are ultimately at the mercy of motorists on the roadways.
If you have been injured or if you have lost a loved one in a pedestrian accident in or around the Asheville area, contact the skilled and proven Personal Injury team at Davis Law Group, P.A. at 828-303-2842 for a free case consultation today.