What Type of Weather Is the Most Dangerous for Pedestrian Accidents?

The changing weather over the past few years has been disastrous for your workout routine. The longer winters, the foggy springs, and the rainy summers have definitely impacted your walking regimen. Because you’re worried about your safety, you’ve also had to shorten your route during bad weather — for instance, by avoiding the Chain Bridge. However, it’s now to the point where you feel you must brave the weather in order to average a three-day routine.

Now the only question is, during what conditions should you maintain your routine, and which ones present too many traffic risks to ignore?

Dangerous Weather Accident Statistics

Walking is a great source of exercise and can be a very therapeutic experience; that is, until a storm approaches. At that point, not only do you have to worry about getting home as quickly as possible, but you must also worry about the increased risks of traffic accidents.

The Federal Highway Administration cautions against walking near traffic during certain weather conditions, as the risk of accidents becomes dangerously high. The most alarming of these conditions include:

Rain (during and after storms)

• 600,000 crashes (46 percent of weather-related crashes)
• 250,000 injuries (52 percent of weather-related injuries)
• 5 fatalities (46 percent of weather-related deaths)

Fog

• 32,000 crashes (3 percent of weather-related crashes)
• 12,000 injuries (3 percent of weather-related injuries)
• 500 fatalities (9 percent of weather-related deaths)

Snow

• 212,000 crashes (17 percent of weather-related crashes)
• 58,000 injuries (13 percent of weather-related injuries)
• 800 fatalities (13 percent of weather-related deaths)

Wet pavement (resulting from rain or melting snow and ice)

• 960,000 crashes (74 percent of weather-related crashes)
• 385,000 injuries (80 percent of weather-related injuries)
• 5,000 fatalities (77 percent of weather-related deaths)

Treacherous weather can cause all types of driving hazards, but the most threatening of these risks is poor visibility and wet pavement from rain and snow. These risks are exponentially increased when a driver must swerve, brake, or avoid pedestrians in the street. This is why it is extraordinarily important year-round to take proper precautions when walking near traffic.

The statistics presented here show how frequently crashes occur, and if you’re stuck on the other end of one of those crashes, you may not make it out alive. Staying cautious, alert, and focused can not only help you avoid being caught up in a collision, but could also help prevent the collision altogether.

Have you already been injured and need advice about your car accident claim? Contact us today for a free consultation and more information about how our experience can help you and your family.

Did you find this article interesting and helpful? Let us know by liking us on Facebook or sharing this page with your friends, family and loved ones.