Personal InjuryCarlsbad Car Accidents Lawyer Discusses Pedestrian Hazards
Carlsbad in San Diego County, Californiais taking a hard look at improving life for pedestrians. The seaside community has many joggers, bicyclists and walkers who are at increased risk of ending up in a car accident.
In 2006, the California Highway Patrol's Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS) reported that 21 pedestrians were injured in car accidents in Carlsbad. Also, one person was killed and 33 were injured in bicycle accidents. Car crashes killed eight and injured 517. DUI accidents accounted for five fatalities and 64 injuries. And motorcycle accidents injured 34.
"Thousands of people are killed and injured each year in car collisions involving pedestrians," said nationally recognized pedestrian and car accident attorney John Bisnar. Many of these accidents are preventable if both motorist and pedestrian simply use more caution and obey traffic laws."
The City of Carlsbad's Pedestrian Master Plan uncovered a number of traffic conditions, followed by recommendations to cut down on the number of car accidents:
- Pacific Coast Highway south of Avenida Encinas is a problem area. Angled parking, high-speed traffic, and no sidewalks, cause pedestrians to walk in the bike lane.
- A pathway is needed between Laguna Drive and the City of Oceanside (Eaton Street). Children cross there regularly.
- A four-way stop controlled intersection is needed at Buena Vista Circle and Laguna Drive.
- A Chestnut Avenue pedestrian crossing is needed to get past the railroad tracks.
- Madison Street and Roosevelt Street are too wide. Traffic calming is needed to reduce speeds.
- Carlsbad Boulevard is very unsafe and not traversable on foot because of high vehicle speeds.
- The intersections of Laguna Drive & Madison Street and Laguna Drive & Roosevelt Street are not safe for crossing.
- There is a lack of traffic control on Carlsbad Boulevard between Pine Avenue and Tamarack Avenue.
- The Carlsbad Village Road/I-5 off ramps are dangerous, since motorists don't look before turning off the freeway.
- Cars are too close to the dirt walking areas along Carlsbad Boulevard, south of Cannon Road and north of Tamarack Avenue, which presents a dangerous pedestrian environment.
- A signalized pedestrian crosswalk is needed on Carlsbad Boulevard between Tamarack Avenue and Pine Avenue.
- A pedestrian crossing is needed between Tamarack Avenue and Pine Street along Carlsbad Boulevard. The pedestrian crossing should be lit so motorists can see pedestrians at night.
Overall statistics suggest that pedestrians fare poorly in car collisions:
- A pedestrian is killed in the U.S. every 99 minutes.
- 600 pedestrian fatalities and 13,000 injuries occur every year in California.
- 28 percent of California's pedestrian deaths occur in San Diego County.
- Only half of the pedestrians struck by a motor vehicle going 30 mph survive, and just 15 percent survive if the vehicle is traveling at 40 mph.
For more information, read "The Seven Fatal Mistakes That Can Wreck Your Personal Injury Claim" by California personal injury attorney John Bisnar. The book is free to accident victims--just go to www.BestAttorneyBooks.com to get a copy sent to you, or you can buy one at www.Amazon.com. Please see other BISNAR | CHASE California car accident lawyers.
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