Pedestrians are some of the most vulnerable people on Florida roads. They have nothing protecting them in the event of a crash, and they must navigate roads alongside huge trucks and speeding cars.
Children are especially vulnerable pedestrians, as they are even smaller and more difficult to see than adult pedestrians are. Kids also act in ways people don’t expect and can dart out in front of a car or cross the street without looking. Because of these factors, drivers must be especially cautious in areas where children are expected to be, like bus stops and school zones.
In fact, there are numerous laws in place aimed at keeping kids safe in these areas. For instance, drivers are prohibited from passing stopped school buses when their stop signs are extended; speed limits are often lowered near schools; right turns at red lights may be prohibited during school hours.
These are all measures designed to protect young pedestrians, but unfortunately, they aren’t always enough. In some cases, drivers simply ignore these laws. In other cases, existing measures are inadequate and more needs to be done to improve safety. This appears to be the issue at one Florida school where a young boy was struck and killed by a driver.
The incident happened outside a school zone while the boy was riding his bike home from school, and safety advocates argue that more needs to be done to protect other students like him. They have asked for better signage, crossing guards at intersections near the school and lowered speed limits, all of which are available at nearby schools.
Accidents like these are devastating, especially because they can often be prevented. With effective safety measures in place and diligent drivers who comply with traffic laws and stay alert while driving, pedestrian accidents involving kids can be avoided.
Unfortunately, these measures are not always taken and children are hurt or killed in an accident. In these situations, it can be crucial for parents to consult an attorney to examine the legal options available to hold accountable the appropriate parties.