Pedestrian Fatalities At All Time High in Louisville

Louisville, Ky.  The number of pedestrian fatalities in Louisville this year is on pace to be one of the highest since merger in 2003 - despite a city campaign stressing road safety.  Through Wednesday, 15 pedestrians have been killed this year, compared to 10 in all of 2009.  The numbers include bicyclists and people struck while standing outside broken-down vehicles along the road.

The highest number of pedestrian deaths since merger came in 2008, when there were 27 deaths - 24 pedestrians and three bicyclists.  Police and safety officials say they've not identified any single reason for this year over last.  According to Lt. Doug Sweeney, head of the Louisville Metro Police traffic unit, "I don't think it's anything out of the ordinary or crazy that people are doing."  But, in many cases, he said, either the pedestrian or the driver of the vehicle was under the influence of alcohol, or the victim was wearing dark clothing and crossing the road at the wrong place. 

The deaths come even as the mayor's office has made pedestrian safety a priority, following a series of community summits on the issue over the past few years.  Last year, the city launched the StreetSense campaign, which includes television, radio and print advertisements to educate drivers and pedestrians about road safety.  It also has begun installing and repairing sidewalks in about 2,300 sites across the city, paid for with about $6.5 million in federal stimulus money.  According to Phil Miller, a spokesman for Mayor Jerry Abramson, "Pedestrian safety has been an issue for a long, long time, which makes sense becuase most of us are pedestrians at one time or another."  Miller noted that the StreetSense campaign, paid for with about $200,000 in federal money, focuses on the dangers of texting or using a cell phone while driving or walking - and making sure you are visible while walking. 

This year's fatalities include some incidents where the victims seemingly couldn't have avoided being hit, Sweeney said, but he noted that in other cases there were comon sense dangers at play.  "When I read these reports, the theme always seems to be a dark area, not crossing at a legal crosswalk, all dark clothing and often alcohol," Sweeney said, adding that while often it is the driver who is intoxicated sometimes it is the pedestrian.  According to Sweeney, the city is doing what it can to protect pedestrians, but he believes drivers and pedestrians must also take more precautions. 

Louisville has had one fatality on an interstate this year - this incident involved an individual who was trying to cross the Watterson Expressway near Third Street to fix a flat tire during rush hour.  According to Boyd Sigler, director of highway safety programs for the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet's Office of Highway Safety, drivers who have to pull over should try to get roadside assistance or call 911 before exiting the vehicle.  "If you don't have to be out there, don't be," he said.  Sweeney also said some local highways seem prone to accidents because they have wide stretches of roadway, and are congested, with many businesses lining either side.  Dixie and Preston, for example, each has had two fatalities this year. 

According to the widow of a pedestrian victim who was struck by a vehicle while on Dixie by the Hardin County, during a telephone interview he stated: "There really aren't any sidewalks out there...it's not really pedestrian friendly."  Miller stated that the city will continue to target problem areas and work on improving sidewalks and bicycle paths as funding becomes available.  "There's always more that we can be doing," according to Miller.  This article is from the Courier-Journal.

If you or a loved one suffered serious injuries in an accident involving a car, truck, bus, or motorcycle, you should contact the lawyers at Gray and White Law immediately for your free legal consultation.  The partners are recognized as among the best lawyers in the Commonwealth and nationwide.  We are available to learn more about your case, or your loved one's, and to answer any questions you may have.  Simply contact us by phone at 1-800-634-8767 or by e-mail at mwhite@grayandwhitelaw.com.