The Virginian-Pilot
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Pedestrians are safer walking in Hampton Roads than in most parts of the state and nation, according to a study released Monday by two transportation advocacy groups.
The region's pedestrian danger index - a measure indicating the relative risk of walking by dividing pedestrian fatality rates by the percentage of residents who walk to work - is 44.1.
The statewide index is 46.2, and the national is 52.1.
The calculations are included in "Dangerous by Design: Solving the Epidemic of Preventable Pedestrian Deaths," produced by Transportation for America and the Surface Transportation Policy Partnership.
There were 39 pedestrian fatalities in 2007 and 2008 locally, according to the report. They accounted for 12.4 percent of traffic deaths.
Among the 52 largest metropolitan areas studied, Hampton Roads ranked 39th most dangerous for pedestrians.
The most dangerous four cities for pedestrians are in Florida - Orlando, Tampa, Miami and Jacksonville. Richmond ranked 24th, and Northern Virginia was 32nd.
"The main problem is that our spending priorities are out of whack," said Paula Chrin, a spokeswoman for the agencies.
Nationally, less than 1.5 percent of transportation funds are spent to improve pedestrian safety while 11.8 percent of traffic-related deaths are pedestrians.
In Virginia, 0.3 percent of transportation funds went to pedestrian projects from 2005 to 2008, the report said.
Debbie Messina, (757) 446-2588, debbie.messina@pilotonline.com
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Good News/Bad News
The good news is you probably won't get hit by a car. The bad news is you might get shot or mugged.
Study: Hampton Roads streets are safe for walkin'
In all fairness to the people that had close brushes with Cars,they were perhaps being watchful for Muggers instead if just Cars. /s
Pedestrian-friendly. Rrright.
Like the city whose murder rate goes down because everyone is too scared to leave their homes at night.
We've learned
In Va Beach anyway, we've learned that people don't even slow down for cross-walks let alone stop for them, not even the VBPD! We just look carefully to make sure that an intersection/street is safe to cross (cross-walk signal or not), and proceed when it's clear.
Just the other night I watched as a woman was nearly clipped on Pacific Ave in a crosswalk. There were two VBPD officers in a marked car looking straight at the events, and they did nothing. I'm not even sure they know there is a law protecting pedestrians in cross-walks.
We just watch out for ourselves...