Escambia County is a lovely part of Florida with an unfortunately high rate of pedestrian accidents and injuries. This overview of pedestrian accident statistics in Escambia County may help you better understand how common they are.
Pedestrian Accident Statistics in Escambia County
According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), in one recent year:
- 152 crashes involving pedestrians occurred in Escambia County
- 120 pedestrians sustained injuries in Escambia County pedestrian accidents
- 24 pedestrians lost their lives in Escambia County pedestrian accidents
The three-year average for pedestrian accidents in Escambia County is 144 crashes involving pedestrians every year. That’s relatively high compared to, for example, Dixie County, where the three-year average is only five accidents. However, it’s also low compared to areas like Miami-Dade County, where an average of 1,458 crashes involving pedestrians occur annually.
Safety Tips for Pedestrians in Escambia County
There are various ways pedestrians in Escambia County can protect themselves. Safety tips to keep in mind when walking in Escambia County include:
- Obey all applicable traffic laws, crosswalk laws, and highway safety regulations.
- Don’t walk around while intoxicated. If you’re intoxicated and can’t drive home safely, rely on public transportation or schedule a ride with a ridesharing service. According to S. News and World Report, walking while drunk may be just as dangerous as driving while intoxicated.
- Wear clothing that allows drivers to see you easily.
- Don’t wear earbuds in busy areas (like the Pensacola Beach crosswalk). Consider not wearing them at all while walking. Refrain from phone use as well. Distractions can prevent you from spotting hazards.
- Make eye contact with drivers to confirm they see you before entering a crosswalk.
- Use sidewalks whenever they’re available.
Exercising caution to avoid a Pensacola car crash or other such motor vehicle wreck in Escambia County is critical. However, it’s also essential to remember that the risk of harm doesn’t go away when you’re not driving. On the contrary, because pedestrians don’t have protection from the metal frame of a car, you’re vulnerable when walking.
Safety Tips for Drivers in Escambia County
If reading the news and learning about auto accident deaths in Pensacola this week has you frightened to get behind the wheel for fear of harming yourself or others, remember that Escambia County is safer than many other parts of Florida.
Along with obeying traffic signals and laws, drivers in Escambia County can minimize their odds of causing pedestrian accidents and catastrophic injuries by:
- Adjusting driving habits based on weather conditions. For example, seeing pedestrians on a clear day is much easier than seeing them on a foggy night. Thus, you shouldn’t necessarily drive at the same speed in both of these settings.
- Slowing down or coming to a complete stop upon approaching a crosswalk. If a vehicle is stopped at a crosswalk, don’t go around it until you’re certain there’s no one in the crosswalk.
- Planning routes that don’t require you to drive among pedestrians whenever possible. If you know an event is likely to attract large numbers of pedestrians, avoid it.
- Never drive drunk or drugged.
- Avoid excessive speeding.
Contact our Pensacola Pedestrian Accident Attorneys for Help
Sustaining injuries in an Escambia County pedestrian accident can happen even if you’re careful. If you were injured in a crash caused by someone else, speak with a Pensacola pedestrian accident lawyer at Cardoso Law, PLLC. We’ll explain your legal options and pursue the compensation you need. Get started today by contacting us online or calling us for a free case review.
