The pedestrian in the transportation system : proposed traffic safety legislation.

Stoke, Charles B; Williams, Charles L · 1981 · ROSA P / Virginia Transportation Research Council (VTRC)

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Summary

This 1981 report by the Virginia Highway and Transportation Research Council addresses the urgent need to revise Virginia’s traffic laws to improve pedestrian safety. Motivated by the inherent vulnerability of pedestrians and the inadequacy of existing statutes, the study aims to evaluate current legal provisions, compare them with other states and the Uniform Vehicle Code, and propose specific legislative amendments. The authors argue that traffic laws must be comprehensive, understandable, and reasonable to effectively reduce accident rates, noting that legislative changes alone are insufficient without complementary education, engineering, and enforcement efforts. The methodology involved a detailed analysis of pedestrian crash data from 1977 to 1980, sourced from the Virginia Department of State Police, alongside a review of relevant federal and state research reports. The authors also conducted a comparative legal analysis of the Code of Virginia against the statutes of Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, Tennessee, West Virginia, California, and New Jersey. An advisory panel comprising representatives from federal, state, and local agencies, as well as safety organizations, provided input throughout the process to ensure diverse perspectives were considered. The findings reveal that approximately 170 Virginians are killed and 2,000 injured in pedestrian-motor vehicle crashes annually, with over half of these incidents resulting in serious injury or death. Data indicates that while injuries are more common in urban areas, fatalities are predominantly rural. Most victims are over age 15, suggesting they are capable of complying with revised laws. The three most dangerous situations identified are crossing at locations other than intersections, crossing at nonsignalized intersections, and walking in the roadway in the direction of traffic. Additionally, about 10% of crashes involve pedestrians with physical handicaps, and alcohol impairment is a significant factor, with nearly 20% of fatalities involving drunken or impaired pedestrians. The report concludes that the Code of Virginia lacks sufficient protection for pedestrian rights and clarity regarding duties. Consequently, it proposes numerous statutory revisions. Key recommendations include defining key terms like "pedestrian" and "right-of-way," requiring pedestrians to obey traffic control signals, and clarifying right-of-way rules at intersections and crosswalks. The authors suggest removing the speed limit restriction on pedestrian right-of-way in crosswalks, requiring drivers to yield to pedestrians on sidewalks at all times, and prohibiting pedestrians from soliciting rides or distributing materials from the roadway. These changes aim to create a safer walking environment by clearly delineating the responsibilities of both motorists and pedestrians.

Key finding

Crossing at nonsignalized intersections, crossing at locations other than intersections, and walking in the roadway were identified as the three most dangerous situations for pedestrians, accounting for the majority of fatalities and injuries.

Methodology

dataset

Provenance

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Topics

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• pedestrian behavior perception
• vru facing ehmi
• driver vru interaction