Frightening pedestrian deaths in St. Louis continues
On the 20th of May 2015, Fox 2 News reported that in only seven days, 16 people were struck by cars, according to a St. Louis Fire Department spokesman. Eleven of them died compared to five pedestrians who were killed “in all of 2014.” In 2016, nearly 10 percent of all Missouri traffic fatalities were pedestrians. By December 7, 2016, 83 pedestrians had been killed in Missouri according to the Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety.
In 2017, “more than half of the 98 pedestrians killed in Missouri” died in and around St. Louis. That year, 264 pedestrians were also seriously injured. Most of the deaths occurred on the city’s north side, according to a non-profit agency – Strong Towns – that analyses how American cities and towns can solve their financial and structural problems.
In 2016, The Washington Post reported that “pedestrian deaths are much more common in poor neighborhoods in urban America than in wealthier ones Poorer neighborhoods – like those on St. Louis’ north side – are less likely to have crosswalks, traffic islands and sidewalks.
In 2018, according to Strong Towns, of the 65 pedestrian deaths in St. Louis in the last five years, most happened in poor neighborhoods due to the city’s “exclusively auto-oriented design.” These poorer neighborhoods are intersected by four dangerous “stroads” – “street/road hybrids” where high speed traffic mixes with pedestrians and bicyclists.
How is the city addressing this issue?
In 2009, St. Louis was on a list of 25 cities that were the most dangerous for pedestrians in the U.S., according to Transportation for America, an alliance of community and local leaders across the country working to improve the nation’s infrastructure. In 2014, The St. Louis Post Dispatch reported the city began making changes, according to a “pedestrian safety action plan,” that includes speed bumps, bumpouts and traffic circles. These street improvements have successfully reduced pedestrian fatalities in other cities.
Pedestrian deaths are up nationwide
The Governor’s Highway Safety Association reported in 2017 that the rate of pedestrian fatalities across the U.S. was growing faster than the rate of “all other traffic deaths.” Between 2007 and 2016, the rate of pedestrian deaths increased 27% while all other traffic deaths combined dropped 14%. The GHSA reported in 2017, pedestrians accounted for a larger proportion of traffic fatalities “than they had in the past 33 years.”
Wayne Wright knows just how dangerous St. Louis roads can be
These accidents kill 19% of older pedestrians who are hit. Sadly the death toll includes children. Wayne Wright is a lawyer who knows how to get results in these and other cases. His successful record representing clients is reflected in his membership in the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum. Only lawyers who have won multi-million dollar cases can join the forum. Calls to the firm and evaluations are free. Clients pay nothing if Wayne Wright does not win their case.