Florida car accidents involving pedestrians seem to be deadlier than the national average. Since it has been discovered that Florida has a disproportionate number of pedestrian accidents, many proposals have been put forward to help reduce these accidents and to make roadways safer for both motorists and pedestrians. According to experts, many initiatives have worked across the state in reducing Florida pedestrian accidents and can be used more broadly to reduce accidents even more:
1) Improved crosswalk striping and markings. Crosswalk markings are important for both motorists and pedestrians. For pedestrians, good markings clearly indicate where to cross. For motorists, crosswalk makings clearly indicate where they should stop to allow pedestrians to pass.
2) Improve crosswalk and intersection placement and design. More crosswalks mean that pedestrians have more “legal” and safe places to cross. It is important for planners to be especially alert when new buildings are created near busy roads. Wherever people work and pursue recreation, there is a need for crosswalks to help pedestrians get around. As well, it is important that crosswalks are well-designed so that motorists can clearly see pedestrians approaching the crosswalk in time to yield.
3) Overhead lighting. Lighting above crosswalks improves visibility and gives motorists another cue that a crosswalk is present, helping to prevent Florida pedestrian accidents.
4) Install pedestrian refuges on busy roads and highways. Pedestrian refuges are raised medians, which separate pedestrians from the flow of traffic, thereby ensuring that pedestrians are not sharing the same surface as high-speed traffic. This helps prevent Florida car accidents involving pedestrians by ensuing that cars cannot enter the pedestrian area and pedestrians cannot err into traffic.
5) Installing HAWK system. HAWK systems are crossing signals which are activated by pedestrians. Although they are expensive — $120 000 – they ensure that more crosswalks with traffic lights can be added in areas with lower pedestrian traffic (which might not warrant permanent traffic lights).
6) Education campaigns. Educational campaigns by police and other agencies as well as increased enforcement in areas known for high rates of Florida bicycle accidents, car accidents, and pedestrian accidents have helped to reduce accidents in higher-risk areas.