Pedestrians are undoubtedly the most vulnerable users of roads throughout Connecticut and everywhere. They’re often at the mercy of drivers who are distracted, reckless (particularly with their speed) and impaired by alcohol and/or drugs.
Road design is also a factor in pedestrian safety. Safety advocates say that it often encourages people to drive unsafely. According to the New Haven Safe Streets Coalition, “Roads are built for cars, not people.” As one Hartford transportation specialist notes, “People drive at the speed the road is designed for, not at the posted speed.”
What are arterial roads?
Among the most common types of roads, as classified by transportation professionals, are highways, arterials and collector roads. While it’s not a term most people are familiar with, arterial roads are among the most dangerous for pedestrians.
Arterials are multi-lane roads typically leading to and from highways. The speed limit on an arterial is often at least 40 miles per hour. Here in the Hartford area, there are a number of state and town arterials that feed into highways.
While arterials are a critical part of our traffic networks, they are “exceptionally dangerous for pedestrians,” according to one Connecticut safety advocate. They generally have more lanes, higher speed limits and fewer vehicles than collector roads, with which they’re often confused.
Even when roads are designed for higher speeds and more traffic, drivers have a responsibility to be careful around pedestrians as well as bicyclists. A collision can leave a pedestrian with catastrophic, if not fatal, injuries. Besides whatever criminal consequences an at-fault driver might face, they can also be held civilly liable for damages that their insurer (if they have one) doesn’t cover. That’s why it’s smart for victims or surviving loved ones to get legal guidance as early as possible.
