| Another pedestrian has been hit and killed | | | | for 10 percent of all pedestrian deaths. * |
| while crossing the street in Seattle. Here's | | | | Unsafe crossing practices were to blame for |
| another story about a pedestrian who was hit | | | | 42 percent of fatalities. * About half of |
| and killed while crossing 23rd Avenue in | | | | drivers in fatal pedestrian accidents were |
| Seattle's Central District. The pedestrian, a | | | | not charged. * About 60 percent of pedestrian |
| woman in her 20's, died Friday night (Jan. 4, | | | | fatalities were on roads with posted speed |
| 2008) while crossing the street. The accident | | | | limits of 35 mph or slower. |
| occurred around 10 p.m. at the intersection | | | | |
| of 23rd Avenue South and South Dearborn | | | | The report made 10 recommendations, including |
| Street. | | | | calling for a county pedestrian-safety |
| | | | conference. It urged police to write more |
| The woman was crossing 23rd Avenue South from | | | | tickets to pedestrians and drivers alike for |
| east to west when a northbound vehicle on the | | | | violating pedestrian-safety laws. Seattle |
| same street struck her. Seattle fire medics | | | | Mayor Greg Nickels introduced a plan to |
| rushed her to Harborview Medical Center, | | | | improve pedestrian safety through |
| where she was pronounced dead. The driver | | | | public-service announcements, signs and route |
| remained at the scene and cooperated with | | | | improvements. |
| police officers investigating the accident. | | | | |
| | | | Just in my office alone, I've seen an |
| According to a profile of pedestrian | | | | unprecedented number of cases involving |
| fatalities, written by the King County Health | | | | pedestrian-auto accidents. Most involve very |
| Department, pedestrians make up 20 percent of | | | | serious injuries. Some also involve the death |
| the motor-vehicle fatalities in the county. | | | | of the pedestrian. My own experience tells me |
| The national average is 11 percent, and the | | | | that there has been an increase in |
| state average is 12 percent. | | | | pedestrian-car accidents. Please, if you will |
| | | | be walking or crossing the streets while it's |
| A 2005 study looked at the 103 pedestrian | | | | dark out, try to wear light clothing or |
| fatalities in King County between 2000 and | | | | reflective clothing so drivers can easily see |
| 2003 — an average of 26 a year — | | | | you. Never let a child cross the street |
| to try to find trends or problem areas. Among | | | | without an adult. And drivers, please slow |
| the key findings: * One in four pedestrians | | | | down, especially in school zones and in areas |
| killed was over 60. * The winter months are | | | | with high pedestrian traffic. |
| especially dangerous. * Highway 99 accounted | | | | |