For New Years Eve Pedestrians Beware

Here at the Injuryboard , we write a lot about pedestrians:

Crosswalk Mayhem – 2009 Pedestrian Deaths Spike, Joe Crumley | October 01, 2009 8:09 PM

Start Yielding For Crosswalks, Mike Bryant | July 27, 2009 9:48 AM

Jaywalking: Open Season on Pedestrians?, Michael Myers | February 28, 2010 8:36 PM

Hawaii Crosswalk Safety Chronicles: On a Day of Tragedy, What is the law?, Wayne Parsons | May 28, 2009 7:39 PM

Pedestrians should be wary of dangers, David Rosenthal | October 11, 2010 3:33 PM

Outdated Roads Are Dangerous for Pedestrians, John Cooper | December 03, 2009 9:50 PM

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But , with all of my reading I just ran across something of interest. New Year’s is the deadliest day for pedestrians. You can probably guess why. It is usually a combination of drunk drivers and drunk walkers. “Alcohol impairs your physical ability to walk and to drive,” said Dr. Thomas Esposito at Loyola University Health System in Maywood “It impairs your judgment, reflexes and coordination. It’s nothing more than a socially acceptable, over-the-counter stimulant/depressant.”

Buisnessweek reported that:

A study from the journal Injury Prevention found there are more pedestrians killed on New Year’s Day than any other day of the year. From 1986 to 2002, a total of 410 pedestrians were killed on that date.

Esposito’s advice to those who walk outside at night is:

• Don’t put on a black coat and meander along the side of the road.
• Wear bright clothing, stick to sidewalks and cross at designated crossings.
• Walk in groups to increase your visibility to drivers and
• consider walking with a sober pal if you’ve been drinking.

So take care out there.

As with any death in a Minnesota motor vehicle collision, there are a number of issues that will need to be reviewed. My partner, Joe Crumley, addressed this topic in a past article for the Minnesota Lawyers Trial magazine. Beyond the accident, there may be Dram shop issues that have to be investigated.