ARTICLE: Pedestrian accidents on rise

Topeka Capital-Journal, Jul 28, 2001 

Pedestrians have been struck by motorists one-third more often in the first six months of this year than in the same period last year.

According to police department records, pedestrians were involved in 24 vehicle accidents January through June 2001 compared with 18 times during the first half of last year. This month, the city has logged an additional three pedestrian accidents, bringing its yearly total to 27, a number police find disturbing.

"This causes a little bit of concern," said Lt. John Sidwell, a police spokesman. "Pedestrian accidents are particularly devastating. When we have a pedestrian accident, we're talking injuries, usually serious injuries."

Of this year's 27 accidents, 10 pedestrians were struck at intersections, seven in parking lots, six while crossing streets in midblock, three while walking along the roadway and two in some other fashion. Sidwell said no deaths resulted from any of those accidents.

Sidwell said that all 10 pedestrians struck at intersections so far this year were using crosswalks, and three of them were hit by vehicles turning right on a red light.

"We want everybody to think about this," Sidwell said. "When you're at an intersection and if you have a red light and turn right, watch out for pedestrians because they will be in that crosswalk."

In parking lots, six of the seven pedestrians involved were struck by drivers backing out of parking spaces.

"This is pretty important," said Sidwell, who stressed awareness when in parking lots. "There are some preventative efforts on both sides that people can do to avoid this."

Sidwell said only one accident involving a pedestrian has occurred this year in Topeka's downtown area, something he said often surprises people.

"These accidents are scattered all over town. I think that's because people driving downtown are very aware of pedestrian traffic. It's when they leave downtown that they stop thinking about it," he said.

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