Pedestrian Safety in Virginia: Accident Characteristics and Suggested Revisions to Virginia's Pedestrian Laws

About the report:

The purpose of the research reported here was to evaluate the nature, characteristics, and severity of accidents involving pedestrians in Virginia and to determine whether or not these data would suggest the need for changes in Virginia traffic laws affecting pedestrians. An analysis of data on pedestrian accidents in Virginia revealed a number of situations that pose a significant risk of accident to pedestrians. A review of Virginia's pedestrian laws dealing with dangerous traffic situations showed that a number of revisions are called for to reduce pedestrian traffic risks. Comparisons between the Virginia Code, the Uniform Vehicle code, and pedestrian statutes from other states revealed a number of areas with which the Virginia Code does not deal or with which it deals in an unclear or inadequate manner. Recommendations for changes in the Virginia Code were formulated by revising existing Virginia regulations to more closely conform to the Uniform Vehicle Code and the statutes of other states. The need for proposed revisions to the Virginia Code was considered in terms of the identified traffic risks pedestrians face in Virginia.

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