Why are Delaware roads so deadly for pedestrians? (video)
WHYY talks with the Delaware State Police, the Office of Highway Safety, DelDOT and Bike Delaware about why Delaware is America’s deadliest state for pedestrians.
RELATED:
• Why are Delaware roads so deadly for pedestrians? (WHYY)
• Delaware is America’s Deadliest State for Pedestrians (News Journal)
• 16 year old killed while crossing Rt.273 on Bike Rt.1
• Another Pedestrian Struck at Rt. 273 and Brownleaf Road
• Traffic Fatalities Are Declining in Delaware…Except for Pedestrians and Bicyclists
• Road Safety in Delaware: How We Can Reduce the Number of Dead Pedestrians
• The Important Difference Between a Road and a Street
• Senator Coons and Representative Carney Will Cosponsor the Bicycle and Pedestrian Road Safety Act
• SR2 Kirkwood Highway Pedestrian Safety Final Report (DelDOT)
• Senator Peterson Praises DelDOT for Improving Pedestrian Safety
10 Responses
I don’t wonder about this at all. I used to live in Texas and people would slow down to nearly a stop before passing pedestrians on the side of the road. In Delaware drivers shoot by at full speed and not nearly enough space between the car and pedestrian. It is dangerous and inconsiderate of others. People think that getting somewhere quickly is worth risking someone else’s life!
And yet, everything I read and hear about TX is how horribly aggressive the drivers are, especially the pickup trucks. Even Lance Armstrong was thrown off, and saved his own life by hiding in a culvert. Maybe it’s a regional thing (big state).
Sussex county is only just now putting pedestrian crosswalks on Coastal Highway as if we just heard about them. DELDOT’s approach to public safety has been negligent at best.
This state is strange. Runners NEVER use a sidewalk, just run in the road, and a lot of times, the middle of the road! People surely aren’t going to use crosswalks!
Have you ever stopped to think that, just maybe the sidewalks aren’t safe and usable in many cases, and eventually the habit forms to just avoid them? Not sure where you live, but half the residents on my street block the sidewalk with the back half of their car in the driveway. I sure as hell wouldn’t use the sidewalk either, given the gross lack of consideration.
Delaware drivers just ignore crosswalks which don’t have traffic lights.
Wait. What? This after you guys posting all the Bike Friendly awards Delaware has won? I was almost killed at least 5 times this Summer!
They’re basing the award more on future intent than existing infra. We’ll probably be long deceased by the time this State (or anywhere in the U.S. for that matter) becomes truly bike/ped friendly. That is why I continue to criticize Bike De for its pathways-only advocacy, which does not address the needs of today’s non-motorized road user (and you need roads to get, well, pretty much anywhere).
Yes. Correct and well said.
They raided the transportation trust fund