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Be an alert pedestrian...don't be a victim

By
Real Estate Agent with Century-21 Homestar

This past weekend there was a death in one of our friends family. It was her little cousin that happens to have been a friend of my two older boys and they all went to the same school. She was a victim of a hit and run. They have the person responsible for it.....My post that for some reason never posted was a much angrier one.... Maybe that is good it got lost....so I am just posting this instead....

I have calmed down a little and decided to post something positive...below you will see a list of tips to help protect yourself. Read them, Print them, and share them with your family and friends. You never know what the day will bring so be prepared and do everything you can to protect family and friends.....peace zane


The AAA Foundation analysis showed that approximately 11 percent of all police reported crashes involve a hit and run driver, and that the problem is especially alarming for pedestrians. "About 60 percent of the people killed in hit and run crashes are pedestrians," said Peter Kissinger, President (and CEO Chief Executive Officer) The highest individual in command of an organization. Typically the president of the company, the CEO reports to the Chairman of the Board.
..... Click the link for more information. of the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, adding that "1 in 5 pedestrian fatalities involve hit and run drivers."

From 1994 to 2003, a total of 14,914 people were killed in hit and run crashes in the United States, The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. , according to the Foundation's analysis of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Fatality Analysis Reporting System Fatality Analysis Reporting System(FARS) was created in the United States by NHTSA (the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) to provide an overall measure of highway safety, to help suggest solutions, and to help provide an objective basis to evaluate the effectiveness  and General Estimates System databases.

"Deadly hit and run crashes most often occur on weekends and during the evening," said Peter Kissinger. Fifty-eight percent of fatal hit and run crashes occur on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday; forty-seven percent of fatal hit and run crashes occur between 9 p.m. and 3 a.m.

"The best way for pedestrians to avoid being a hit and run victim is to be an alert pedestrian," said Kissinger.

The Foundation offers the following tips to help keep pedestrians safe around traffic:

--Obey traffic signals

--Look left, then right, then left again before crossing the street even when in a crosswalk

--Watch for turning vehicles when crossing

--Remain alert and aware of cars as they approach and pass you

--Do not assume drivers see you because you see them

--When sidewalks are not present, walk as far away from the roadway as possible

--If walking at night wear retro reflective and light-colored clothing

The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety is an independent, publicly funded, 501 (c)(3) charitable research and educational organization established in 1947 by the American Automobile AssociationAmerican Automobile Association (AAA), federation of American automobile clubs, est. 1902. AAA provides a number of benefits to its members, including emergency road service; national and international travel assistance, e.g.
..... Click the link for more information.. The AAA Foundation's mission is to prevent traffic deaths and injuries by conducting research into their causes and by educating the public about strategies to prevent crashes and reduce the impact when they do occur.

Comments(9)

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Michael Bergin
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage - ABR - SRES - Alexandria, VA
Northern Virginia Real Estate

We are so sorry for the family's loss. Thanks for bring up a subject about a serious public safetyissue. I don't know much about Geneva, but in the DC area we have a pedestrian struck and killed almost every day. Tragic event.

Dec 17, 2009 09:42 AM
S W
Seattle, WA

Zane, =( my heart goes out to you and this family... My grandfather was killed in a hit and run when crossing the sidewalk. I know how it feels. It seems like such a senseless loss of life. It shouldn't happen.

I'm a runner, and I run on the street. When I cross at crosswalks, I don't cross unless the cars have stopped... I never know if they see me or not, even if I'm wearing my bright neon yellow wind-jacket.

Blessings this season,

Sara

Dec 17, 2009 09:52 AM
Bob & Carolin Benjamin
Benjamin Realty LLC - Gold Canyon, AZ
East Phoenix Arizona Homes

So sorry for their loss -- one can't be too careful when it comes to situations like this.

Dec 17, 2009 11:08 AM
Todd Clark - Retired
eXp Realty LLC - Tigard, OR
Principle Broker Oregon

I've hit someone in a car and I can tell you it changes your life and how you drive, even if it isn't your fault. This person walked out in the middle of two trucks right in the middle of the lane. I was lucky and a police officer saw the whole thing, because it could have been very different outcome for me had he not.

Dec 17, 2009 11:32 AM
Zane Coffin
Century-21 Homestar - Geneva, OH
(Geneva Ohio Real Estate Agent)

Michael.... We have it happen but not a lot and it is always a bad thing

Sara...thanks for stopping by with your story .... and be safe

Bob and Carolin...thanks you

Todd...you are so right I have been hit, run over, and flipped over before but each time I lived.... and an accident is an accident..... but what happened to this girl was not the lady that hit her ran and hid herself and her car.....

Dec 17, 2009 12:11 PM
Mary Douglas
United Country Ponderosa Realty, Red Feather Lakes, Colorado - Red Feather Lakes, CO
REALTOR, Red Feather Lakes, Colorado

Zane, My heart goes out to the family, and to you and her friends.  It's terrible that the driver didn't even stop- that makes me angry.  Good safety reminders for pedestrians, Zane, I hope your post will serve to save even one other person from being hit.

Dec 17, 2009 12:46 PM
Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS
Fathom Realty Washington LLC - Tacoma, WA
South Puget Sound Washington Agent/Broker!

It has come to the point, with people texting and talking on cell phones, that pedestrians can't assume anything, be alert...
Your friend in Washington State,
Paul

Dec 17, 2009 02:15 PM
Zane Coffin
Century-21 Homestar - Geneva, OH
(Geneva Ohio Real Estate Agent)

Mary I hope it saves someone also thanks.....ya she didn't stop and tried to hide for 2 days she knew what she did and what she was doing.....

Paul... thanks for stopping by ...people need to pay more attention driving and walking thanks Paul

Dec 17, 2009 11:08 PM
Robert L. Brown
www.mrbrownsellsgr.com - Grand Rapids, MI
Grand Rapids Real Estate Bellabay Realty, West Mic

You have to be ever so vigilant. People are very distracted when driving.

Dec 19, 2009 11:06 AM