Los Angeles pedestrian accident lawyers, who have strongly promoted greater use of technology to prevent pedestrian accidents, will be pleased by a new study conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.  The study looks at how the use of technological aids, including forward collision warning systems that include pedestrian detection, can help prevent pedestrian accident fatalities. 

The Insurance Institute researched the most common kinds of pedestrian accidents, in an effort to understand what kinds of technologies would help prevent these accidents.  Research showed that the most common kinds of accidents occurred when a person was crossing the road and a car was coming straight ahead.  In these cases, there was nothing blocking the driver's view of the pedestrian.  Most of such accidents occurred in the daytime, while the fatal ones were more common at night.  The research pinpoints the accident prevention possibilities from cars that include forward collision warning systems that come with pedestrian detection.

One such system has been introduced by Volvo in its F9 sedan that was introduced in the United States last year.  Although forward collision warning systems have been available on automobiles for a couple of years now, those that come with pedestrian detection systems are fairly new.  Forward collision warning systems can detect an object in the automobile’s path, and alert the driver to the presence of the object, preventing an accident.  Pedestrian detection systems work in the same manner, but alert the driver to the presence of a pedestrian in its path.

However, a pedestrian detection system that warns the driver just when a pedestrian is right in front of the car may not be sufficient to prevent an accident.  The Insurance Institute report studied how countries in the European Union are dealing with this problem.  In the EU, automakers are experimenting with modifying the front of the vehicle so it causes fewer injuries to the pedestrian. 

In the U.S. however, efforts by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to push through similar requirements for automobiles in this country, have failed.  The NHTSA simply decided to stop pushing for such requirements, possibly because of a drop in pedestrian fatalities across the country.  Just because there has been a decline in pedestrian accident fatalities is no reason for the NHTSA to stop focusing on pedestrian safety, especially considering the seriousness of fatalities and debilitating injuries that occur in pedestrian accidents.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is warning of increased accident risks with the end of Daylight Saving Time in California.    According to the agency, adjusting to new a low light environment can place drivers at a high risk of a crash as they adjust to the new conditions. 

According to the NHTSA, in 2009, there were 4,092 pedestrian accidents, and 59,000 pedestrians were injured in these accidents.  Twenty five percent of the fatalities were killed between 4pm and 8pm, and 13% were killed in accidents between 4am and 8am.  The agency is specifically pointing to risks to pedestrians, who may not be visible in the new lowlight environment.

Los Angeles pedestrian accident attorneys recommend the following tips for both motorists and pedestrians to stay safe:

• Pedestrians should carry a flashlight and work to make themselves visible to motorists.
• Wear bright clothing, or stick reflective tape on your clothes, backpacks, bags and briefcases to be visible in the lowlight conditions.
• Expect distracted motorists.  In other words, don't depend on a motorist’s ability to see you while they're driving.
• Avoid jaywalking.
• Avoid crossing between parked vehicles.
• Only cross the road on safe, designated, marked crosswalks.
• Walk only in sidewalks.
• If you're walking in the street, walk facing traffic.

Drivers must also take extra care to look out for pedestrians. Keep your speeds down while you adjust yourself to the new conditions.  Don't depend on a pedestrian’s ability to hear your vehicle as it approaches.  Remember that pedestrians may be wearing earmuffs, and may not be able to hear your car as it approaches.  Improve conditions for good visibility.  Keep your windshield and windows clean.

The Department of Transportation has actively encouraged walking and bicycling as means of transportation.  However, there are safety concerns when more people are walking and bicycling that have not been adequately addressed.  This week, the Federal Highway Administration launched a pedestrian safety initiative to encourage walking and prevent pedestrian accidents.

The Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration launched the initiative in conjunction with the Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center.  The initiative is called Walk Friendly Communities, and it aims to encourage communities across the country to promote pedestrian safety.  According to Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, the initiative will increase pedestrian safety measures in communities across the country.  These measures will be aimed at presenting walking as a safe means of moving about a neighborhood.

How the program works is by encouraging communities to apply for a Walk Friendly Community designation.  Communities that apply for the designation will receive plenty of suggestions, tools and resources on improving pedestrian safety in their neighborhood.  Implementing pedestrian safety measures and preventing accidents can be much more challenging than we know.  It helps substantially to have access to knowledge and resources to promote safety in your neighborhood. 

The Federal Highway Administration has tested the viability of Walk Friendly Communities.  A pilot test was conducted, including nine communities that tested the application and online assessment tool.  The Federal Highway Administration is currently accepting applications from communities from now through December 15, 2010.

The Walk Friendly Communities program will evaluate safety in a community through questions related to engineering, encouragement, education, evaluation and planning.  According to the website, Walk Friendly Communities includes pedestrian safety programs that have been developed to encourage communities, towns and cities across the country to make a commitment towards a safer walking environment.  The program is meant to encourage those communities that want to work hard at improving safety, access, and comfort for pedestrians. 

Broadly, a Walk Friendly Community is a city or town that has been found to have a commitment to improving pedestrian safety through the competence of programs and policies.  When a community applies for Walk Friendly Community designation, it receives plenty of suggestions and resources on production safety.  Through questionnaires that are included in the assessment tool, communities can identify the areas where there is need for improvement.  Based on this, pedestrian safety programs can be developed and implemented.  Besides, communities that are designated as Walk Friendly Communities will be rewarded through national recognition for these pedestrian accident prevention efforts.

California pedestrian accident attorneys would encourage any efforts by federal safety agencies to improve safety for pedestrians.  There is no question that we need to encourage walking and bicycling as viable and safe means of transportation in order to reduce our dependence on fuel.  However, that won't happen if we continue to bypass and ignore safety.

Los Angeles police are still looking for a hit-and-run motorist allegedly believed to have been responsible for a serious pedestrian accident over the weekend.  According to the LA Times, the pedestrian, an 18-year-old man was walking on Vanowen Street when he was struck by a car.  The motorist simply drove away from the scene.  The pedestrian sustained serious injuries.

Pedestrian safety has always been a concern to Los Angeles pedestrian accident attorneys.   Unfortunately, Los Angeles is home to a car-centric culture with the result that there is little consideration for the rights of pedestrians.  Most accidents are caused because motorists simply fail to notice pedestrians.  There are a number of causes for this.  For instance, a motorist who is driving under the influence may not be able to spot a pedestrian in time.  Someone who is distracted because he is on his cell phone is also likely to miss a person walking in front of the car until it's too late. 

However, far too many accidents in Los Angeles occur because motorists simply don’t look out for pedestrians.  This is especially true of pedestrian accidents that occurred near crosswalks or intersections.  These are areas where motorists need to look out for people crossing the street.  That very often doesn't happen.  The result is a number of serious accidents that can leave pedestrians permanently injured or dead.

Besides, Los Angeles is a city that has been designed for automobiles, and as a consequence, pedestrian safety enhancements here are a work in progress.  Los Angeles could definitely do with some more initiatives to create walkable communities.  This is a trend that's been supported even by the federal government, which this week announced the Walk Friendly Communities initiative, to encourage pedestrian safety programs across the country.  This city could definitely benefit from more resources on pedestrian safety.

The risks of a child being involved in a pedestrian accident are much higher on Halloween than during any other night of the year.  This particular night every year, approximately 4,000 children between the age of five and 14 are injured in pedestrian accidents, compared to 1,000 children during the rest of the year. 

It's not just the fact that there are more numbers of enthusiastic little children on the streets.  It's also the fact that these children are in cumbersome costumes that can cause them to trip and fall while walking on a crosswalk, or prevent them from seeing the road clearly.  Besides, ornate masks and eye gear might obstruct visibility, preventing the child from noticing your car.  Driving in Los Angeles can be a challenge any day of the year, but Los Angeles child injury lawyers would encourage extra special care on Halloween.

Obviously, driving under the influence increases your risk of striking a little child.  Also, ensure that your attention is 100% focused on the road by switching off your cell phone.  Be prepared for little children darting from behind cars or at intersections. 

Parents can minimize the risks of an accident involving their little ones by making sure that they chaperone or escort their children on Halloween.   For very young kids, opt for a group celebration at a common venue instead.  Teach your child basic traffic safety rules, and avoid visiting busy streets.  Give your child a flashlight or glow stick to make him easily visible to drivers.  Keep the costume simple, and avoid long flowing gowns that can trip your child.  Avoid elaborate masks and huge hats that can reduce visibility.  Bright reflective costumes can make your child more visible to motorists.  If the costume is dark, add reflective strips to it.

The Philadelphia police have charged a Temple University student in a hit and run impact that injured a pedestrian this past Sunday.

Nicholas Hasselback of Ephrata, Pa., was charged with leaving the scene of an accident involving injury. Further charges included aggravated assault, simple assault and recklessly endangering another person. The charges were filed this Wednesday. The assault and endangerment charges are serious enough, and driving away simply compounds the seriousness of the crime.

The charges allege that Hasselback was driving in the 2200 block of Benjamin Franklin Parkway at about 2:30 a.m. on Sunday when his car struck fellow Temple University student Tony Foltz, 25. Foltz was hit in the right arm and leg and suffered a skull fracture, the Philadelphia Daily News reported. He was in critical condition Thursday at Hahnemann University Hospital, a hospital spokeswoman said.

In Pennsylvania, a hit-and-run case carries a mandatory minimum sentence. Violators can expect to serve at minimum 90 days in prison and pay a $1,000 fine. These are regardless of any other provision of law. Three months is a long time for anyone, and particularly for a student at university. One thousand dollars is a substantial bit of money as well, especially considering it will come before any liability arrangements that may be made considering the victim’s injuries.

If Foltz dies, the minimums involved will, of course, increase. The term of imprisonment will be set at a minimum of one year, and the fine will increase to a minimum of $25,000.

It is important to stress that Hasselback turned himself in. This past Wednesday around 2:30 pm, Hasselback, his parents, and his attorney met with the police and he surrendered himself into custody at police headquarters.