Rolling Stops are a Leading Cause of Pedestrian Injuries

You’ve probably done it. You’re driving along and approach an intersection with a stop sign. You dutifully slow down, but after assuring yourself that you have the right of way (and that no police officers are around) you roll through the intersection without coming to a full and complete stop. No harm, no foul.

The problem is that rolling stops do in fact cause a great deal of harm to pedestrians and other drivers every year. They are probably the single biggest contributor to intersection accidents. A 2009 study found that 24 percent of all accidents involving cars and pedestrians occurred at intersections with even higher numbers for intersection accidents involving cyclists and automobiles.

The problems of distracted driving, as well as distracted walking by pedestrians glued to their phones texting (or playing Pokémon Go), have only made intersections more dangerous. Rolling stops are particularly hazardous because they don’t give a driver or a nearby pedestrian time to react to danger or see a nearby pedestrian or oncoming car. Right turns on rolling stops can be even more dangerous as drivers may be looking to their left for oncoming traffic and fail to see a pedestrian immediately to their right who is about to enter the intersection to cross the street in front of the car.

Georgia drivers should remember that failing to come to a complete stop at a stop sign is against the law and that pedestrians have the right of way. For pedestrians, keep these safety tips in mind:

• Walk on sidewalks and in crosswalks whenever possible.
• Obey traffic lights and walk signals.
• Make yourself visible (wear bright or reflective clothing, especially when walking at night)
• Be careful of the blind spots around cars, trucks, and buses when walking near or around them, and never walk behind a car or a truck that is backing up.
• Always assume the driver does not know that you are there and that it is up to you to stay safe.
• If possible, try to make eye contact with the driver to confirm that they see you before you enter the intersection.

While some pedestrian accidents are avoidable, others are the result of someone else’s negligence or recklessness. If you have been injured in a pedestrian accident caused by a careless driver or cyclist, you may have a claim for compensation. Call the experienced metro Atlanta personal injury lawyers at The Parian Law Firm today at (770) 727-5550 or chat live online with a member of our staff today.