What causes pedestrian/vehicle accidents at marked crosswalks?
Even though pedestrians have the right of way at marked crosswalks, pedestrian/vehicle accidents do occur. Research suggests that pedestrians may have a false sense of security at marked crosswalks. They may step off the curb into the crosswalk and expect oncoming vehicles to stop. However, drivers sometimes fail to stop. Another frequent cause of accidents at mid-block crosswalks happens when the driver of a vehicle nearest the curb stops for a pedestrian who is waiting to cross or who is already in the crosswalk. Then the driver of a vehicle in the lane next to the stopped vehicle may try to pass the stopped vehicle and hit the pedestrian. Pedestrians should be very cautious when crossing in a crosswalk, especially when their visibility is limited by vehicles already stopped at the crosswalk as illustrated. At all crosswalks, both marked and unmarked, it is the responsibility of the motorist to yield to pedestrians and the pedestrian’s responsibility to be cautious and alert before c
