Pedestrian Accidents Account for 10% of all Traffic Fatalities in VA

Yesterday there was a horrific accident on Shore Drive involving a pedestrian walking in the east bound lane, who was struck and killed by a vehicle traveling in the same direction. The accident occurred around the 2600 block of Shore Drive near First Landing State Park in Virginia Beach. The pedestrian died at the scene. He was not carrying ID, police said. He was identified this later that day as Benjamin Taylor Epps, 19, of Virginia Beach, Virginia. Police said that speed and alcohol were not considered factors in the crash and that no charges will be filed, on the driver who was a local Marine attached to Marine Security Cooperation Group at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story.

In 2013, 78 pedestrians were killed in pedestrian/motor vehicle crashes or 10.5% of all traffic fatalities according to the Virginia Highway Safety Office 2013 Traffic Crash Facts. Another astonishing fact shows that 1,765 pedestrians involved in crashes 114 were walking in roadways with traffic were sidewalks were not available.

There are a few simple laws in Virginia to keep pedestrians safe in Virginia.

• Drivers must stop for pedestrians in the State of Virginia. If a pedestrian is correctly crossing at the crosswalk with the light, or trying to jaywalk in the middle of traffic, the driver must always stop.
• At a red light, drivers must stop before the actual crosswalk. After a complete stop, drivers may turn right on red if there are no pedestrians crossing. If pedestrians are crossing, drivers must wait for them to cross before making a right on red. Drivers should follow the same guidelines when turning left at a red light onto a one-way street.
• It is against the law to Jaywalk in the Virginia if there is no crosswalk present the pedestrian must go to the corner and cross corner to corner.

For more concise detail The Final Report prepared for the Virginia Department of Transportation http://virginiadot.org/travel/resources/Laws_for_Interacting_on_the_Road_Report.pdf is an accounting of the pedestrian laws and regulations that exist within the Virginia Code. Pedestrian Codes are Title 46.2

If you or a loved one have been injured by the negligence of another, please give us a call today to schedule a consultation with a Norfolk personal injury attorney, please visit the website and fill out the convenient online form.

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