Back to Basics

[XLFD]

In most any serious or fatal collision between a vehicle and a bicyclist, motorcyclist, or pedestrian (aka BUMPs) there are at least a couple of good lessons to be learned in order to reduce the chances of reoccurrence, but few are ever explored by those that report on them.  So rarely can you build a consensus as how to identify, address, and remedy a continuing problem.  

The original story of a pedestrian death related the following data:

A 25-year-old Walkerville woman was killed after 3 AM Saturday, Aug. 10, 2019, after she was struck by a car while walking along US 10/31 west of Dennis Road.  The woman was walking eastbound on the roadway and was struck by an eastbound 2004 KIA passenger vehicle. The KIA was traveling in the right lane.

More information became available earlier today, but even with these earlier facts three flags pop out regarding the behaviors of the parties:

1)   A pedestrian should always walk against traffic when they travel on the roadway, it's state law.  

2)   A shoulder protected by a raised curb is on the highway at that point, the pedestrian did not use it, and should have (see picture below, it's even safer if she was on the opposite side).

3)   A pedestrian using the road at night should always assume that oncoming 55 mph traffic does not see them in time to take preventative measures 

4)   A motorist should always be paying attention to what is or may be in their driving lane, especially at night when they can only see a few seconds ahead.

 

One might surmise she was walking in the roadway improperly because the glare from oncoming traffic would be less and/or because the shoulders along the highway are hazardous to travel due to curbs, which another bicyclist found out last week in the same area.  We may never know.

Today's press release by the sheriff gives a fuller picture:

An investigation by the sheriff’s office has revealed that Cecilia Knowles was a passenger in a friend’s vehicle that was eastbound on US 10/31 around 2:30 AM when she allegedly began to argue with the driver and punched him in the face.  She reportedly refused to get back in, and then proceeded eastward from Burger King shortly thereafter.  At 3:01 a.m., a vehicle traveling eastbound on US10 had to swerve to avoid hitting Knowles who was walking in the road. This motorist called 911 after attempting to get Ms. Knowles to get off the road but she refused to do so.  A deputy was responding and was just west of Scottville when she was hit by another motorist.

In this incident, the victim's state of mind appears to have been affected negatively, which made her pedestrian skills poor that night and led directly to her death.  Always use pedestrian facilities when provided along a highway, even though it may be blinding at times, always walk towards traffic, and always expect that the driver does not see you. Always, even at 3 AM, walk responsibly when fast traffic is about.

When driving, be the motorist at 3:01 AM that sees the errant pedestrian and goes above and beyond in trying to save their life by warning and by calling authorities.  Rather than the one that pays less attention and has to deal with the consequences for the rest of their life.