Concerns Grow as Blocked Sidewalk on Butler Street Endangers Pittsburgh Pedestrians

A blocked sidewalk on Butler Street in Pittsburgh is creating a serious hazard for pedestrians, forcing them into traffic and increasing the risk of pedestrian accidents, according to a recent Yahoo News report.

“Thousands of people every week are forced to walk into traffic to get around this,” said Armin Samii, chair of Better Streets Lawrenceville, in an interview with WPXI 11 News.

Unsafe sidewalk closure in Pittsburgh puts pedestrians at risk

Numerous residents in the Lawrenceville neighborhood of Pittsburgh repeatedly complained about the construction work on Butler Street that has forced people to walk in the street because the sidewalk was closed during the project.

The City of Pittsburgh issued citations to the contractor for safety violations three times, including for sidewalk obstruction and having an opening in the sidewalk without a permit, WPXI 11 News reported.

According to Pittsburgh councilwoman Deb Gross, such violations are unusual. Instead, most construction companies ensure that pedestrians have a safe way to walk alongside a road or cross a street.

“A lot of times you’ll see orange jersey barriers so there is a safe route, we’ve been able to achieve that in lots of places and lots of construction,” Gross said in an interview with WPXI 11 News. “It’s really frustrating we haven’t been able to do that here.”

Top causes of pedestrian accidents

Pedestrian accidents happen for many reasons, but poor street lighting is among the most dangerous. About 75% of pedestrian fatalities occur at night, according to a study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). But lack of lighting isn’t the only threat. Here are some of the most common causes of pedestrian accidents:

• Speeding drivers who fail to slow down and don’t have enough time to react to pedestrians.
• Aggressive drivers who refuse to share the road with pedestrians in crosswalks or alongside the street.
• Distracted drivers, particularly those texting or using their phones while driving.
• Impaired drivers, especially those under the influence of alcohol or drugs who fail to notice pedestrians.
• Reckless drivers who make dangerous turns at intersections without checking for pedestrians.
• Failure to yield, particularly at crosswalks where pedestrians have the right of way.
• Poorly designed roadways that lack proper signage, crosswalks, or pedestrian signals, increasing the chances of accidents.

Pittsburgh pedestrian accident statistics

How can we improve the safety of pedestrians?

Enhancing pedestrian safety starts with proactive measures from both drivers and city planners. Here’s how we can make our streets safer:

• Better street lighting: Well-lit streets reduce the risk of accidents, especially at night when most pedestrian fatalities occur.
• Stricter speed enforcement: Enforcing speed limits in areas with high pedestrian traffic can give drivers more time to react and avoid collisions.
• Improved crosswalks and signage: Clearly marked crosswalks, pedestrian signals, and warning signs help alert drivers to the presence of people walking.
• Traffic calming measures: Speed bumps, raised crosswalks, and other designs slow down traffic, making it safer for pedestrians.
• Public awareness campaigns: Educating both drivers and pedestrians about safe practices can prevent accidents before they happen.
• Increased law enforcement: Targeting distracted and impaired drivers can reduce the risk to pedestrians and ensure safer streets for everyone.

If you get hit by a car and injured, contact a lawyer right away

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