Pedestrian Killed in Car Crash in Sparks, Nevada

SPARKS, NV- Ncadviser.com writes that a car struck and killed a pedestrian at an intersection in northeast Sparks earlier this week. The medical examiner’s office identified the driver as a 55-year-old man.*

The crash happened during the early evening at the intersection of Iratcabal Drive and Vista Boulevard. Initial reports indicate that the vehicle struck the man while he was in a marked crosswalk. Police say that the victim died at the scene of the crash. 

The driver remained at the scene and is cooperating with the police. 

Pedestrian crashes are frequent around the United States and are beginning to make up a more significant proportion of overall traffic deaths than vehicle occupant fatalities.

No one is entirely sure why pedestrians seem to be facing higher risks now than at any time in the last few decades. Some argue that SUVs are more likely to kill pedestrians than sedans; others say that marijuana legalization is increasing the number of impaired drivers on the road. Smartphones, which are known to present distracted driving risks, are also believed to be playing a role in the increasing number of pedestrian deaths.

Some of the problems also seem to be related to road design that accommodates vehicle traffic and not pedestrians. High-speed limits and short crosswalk intervals can create risks for people trying to get around on foot. While many cities are trying to improve their infrastructure to increase pedestrian safety, it seems that the effort to keep the most vulnerable road users safe will likely be multifaceted.

Fortunately, car manufacturers are putting more focus on pedestrian detection than they have in the past. Most vehicle safety features are designed to keep occupants safe. Newer efforts will help drivers avoid striking people as well.

Accident News is a safety and education initiative from Montlick & Associates, designed to help people better understand and thereby avoid common accident causes.  To learn more about our injury prevention programs, including iridesafe.com - click here. We hope you are never in an accident, but if you or family member are injured, call Montlick & Associates 24/7 for your free consultation at 1-800-LAW-NEED (1-800-529-6333) or use our live chat at Montlick.com.

Sources:https://www.ncadvertiser.com/news/article/Male-pedestrian-55-hit-and-killed-by-car-in-14851229.php and https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2019/02/automated-driving-systems-arent-ready-to-save-pedestrians-safety-group/