There has been a recent development in pedestrian safety. The U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration has been looking into ways to improve crossing the street. A leading pedestrian interval or LPI is one of these new improvements. The technology will give the pedestrian between 3-7 seconds before the vehicles are given a green light. This gives the pedestrian more time to get into the intersection and become visible to drivers. The results are currently mixed on whether the technology actually helps prevent fatalities and promotes pedestrian safety
When the state of Utah saw a rise in their road fatalities, the transportation division began to implement the LPIs into Salt Lake City intersections. Despite the uncertain results, “the idea seemed intriguing enough to test, said Salt Lake City transportation director, Jon Larsen.”
Salt Lake City began installing the LPIs a few years ago. They currently have fifty three of the 213 traffic signals with LPIs, and they are hoping to change over the rest.
While this is not a foolproof system, it seems like it could decrease injury and fatality and increase pedestrian safety.
And with these implementations, it does not seem like the extra seven seconds have affected Utah drivers either. Many drivers have not noticed a difference in the timing.
The LPIs have been shown to reduce accidents by one-third, when they were installed in New York City. A study done in New York City, from 2013 to 2018, looked into 6,000 intersections. The study showed that injuries and accidents dropped significantly. Since the LPIs are inexpensive and seem to be working, they can be one of the best solutions for improving safety.
Check out this article at KSL for more information.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, “In 2023, 7,314 pedestrians were killed and more than 68,000 pedestrians were injured nationwide.” There are many ways that a pedestrian can keep themselves safe while walking on the road. NHTSA has seven ways you can stay safer.
- Obey and follow the rules of the road and signals.
- Walk on sidewalks when they are available.
- If you are on a road without a sidewalk, you should walk facing traffic. Stay as far away from the traffic as you can.
- Only cross the streets at intersections and crosswalks. Make sure you always look both ways before you cross the street.
- If you are somewhere without crosswalks or intersections, then wait until there is a big gap for you to cross. It is best to find a well lit area.
- Always look out for cars that are backing up, especially around driveways and parking lots.
- Avoid impairment while walking. This includes drugs and alcohol as they impair your judgement.
Crosswalk and pedestrian safety is very important, especially with the coming school year. Make sure that you and your loved ones are following the traffic laws. And if you are a driver, take time to watch out for the more vulnerable pedestrians on the road.
At Flickinger Boulton Robson Weeks, we’ve helped countless Utah families recover after devastating pedestrian crashes. Our team knows the law, understands the insurance system, and has a long track record of success. We treat every case with the compassion and professionalism it deserves.
Call us at 801-500-4000 to schedule your free consultation today. Let’s talk about how we can help you seek justice and move forward with confidence.
