ST. PAUL, Minn. – More hours of darkness this time
of year increase the number of pedestrian crashes and fatalities, according to
the Minnesota Department of Transportation. As the days get shorter and the
nights longer, motorists and pedestrians should use caution when driving and
walking.
So far this year, 26 pedestrians were killed. In 2016,
preliminary numbers show 60 pedestrians were killed and 1,204 were injured
compared to 41 deaths and 904 injuries in 2015.
“Pedestrians are more difficult to see when the sun rises
later and sets earlier, increasing the risk of crashes,” said Jay Hietpas,
MnDOT state traffic engineer. “Motorists and pedestrians are equally at fault
when we look at the crash data. That means that both groups need to know and
obey the laws.”
The crosswalk law includes these highlights:
· Motorists
should stop for crossing pedestrians at marked crosswalks and at all
intersections without crosswalks or stop lights.
· Pedestrians
should obey traffic signs and signals at all intersections that have them.
· Vehicles
stopped for pedestrians can proceed once the pedestrian has completely crossed
the lane in front of the stopped vehicle.
· Pedestrians
shouldn’t enter a crosswalk if a vehicle is approaching and it is impossible
for the driver to stop. There is no defined distance that a pedestrian should
abide by before entering the crosswalk; common sense should be used.
· When
a vehicle is stopped at an intersection to allow pedestrians to cross, drivers
of other vehicles approaching from the rear should not pass the stopped vehicle.
For the full crosswalk law, go to: www.mndot.gov/sharetheroad/ped/crosswalklaw.html.
About one-third of pedestrian crashes happen during the
weekday rush hour driving time, defined as 6 to 9 a.m. and 3 to 6 p.m. One out
of every four pedestrian fatal crashes occurred between the hours of 9 p.m. and
3 a.m.
