Whenever drivers are in an area where children could be present, they need to be attentive. They should go at or below the local speed limit, which is typically designed to reduce speed enough that drivers have time to stop prior to hitting someone. Even if they can’t stop, the slower speed should help minimize the risk of serious injuries.
Unfortunately, crashes do happen. One such collision happened in Bridgeport when a juvenile was struck by a driver in the 1000 block of Fairfield Avenue. The late-afternoon collision resulted in serious, but not life-threatening, injuries to the child.
The news media reported that the juvenile walked out into the street and was struck by a driver in her Hyundai Sonata. She did stay at the scene and rendered aid. The juvenile was taken to Bridgeport Hospital to be stabilized before being transported to Yale New Haven Hospital later on.
Pedestrian collisions have the potential to maim and kill
Unfortunately, pedestrian collisions are fairly common. They are caused by all kinds of factors, but one of the greatest risks is just not paying attention. Both drivers and pedestrians should always follow the rules of the road and be aware of their surroundings. For drivers, slowing down, putting down electronic devices and looking closely for nearby pedestrians may help you avoid a serious collision.
It’s particularly important for drivers to monitor the roads closely in neighborhoods and around schools or parks. Children may be present, and it’s necessary to be more cautious since they may not be. While all pedestrians should stop and look, younger pedestrians may make mistakes. Good driving habits will help prevent serious injuries as a result of those errors.