Intersections are dangerous no matter the size of the city or town where they are located. It also doesn’t matter when it comes to the volume of vehicles, bicycles or pedestrians that use the intersection. So long as there is one vehicle and one pedestrian present in an intersection, it will be dangerous. Here’s how cities can make intersections safer for pedestrians.
One of the smartest ways to increase pedestrian safety at intersections is to provide them with a head start. The pedestrians waiting to cross an intersection can be given the walk signal a little early to give them more time to cross to the other side before signal changes allow left or right turns.
Intersections should also offer protected left turns. These types of turns are when a vehicle is given a green arrow to turn left. This reduces the amount of distractions for the driver that occur when there is no green arrow, such as monitoring oncoming traffic, pedestrians and vehicles approaching them from behind.
Raised crossings are becoming more popular across California and the rest of the country. They act almost like speed bumps without being as high. A raised intersection gives the driver a better line of sight and slows the vehicle down all at once.
With all that technology has to offer these days, many cities are turning to connected traffic lights. These are smart lights that can sense the volume of vehicle and pedestrian traffic so that the signals can be extended or shortened.
Pedestrian-motor vehicle accidents are tragic. Rarely do you see a pedestrian survive one of these accidents and get away with minor injuries. A vehicle traveling as slow as 35 mph can still do a lot of damage to a pedestrian in Redondo Beach. If you or a loved one has been injured in such an accident, an experienced attorney can help you understand your legal options for pursuing compensation for your medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost wages and more.