New Jersey gets an excessive amount of pedestrian motor vehicle crashes compared to the rest of the nation, and this year looks to be no different. In the last month alone, there have been 8 pedestrian fatalities in the state. Most of these deaths were a result of drivers not obeying the law or stopping for pedestrians at marked crosswalks or not paying attention to the road.
As the seasons change, more residents crossing the streets will have an increased risk of getting hit by a negligent driver. Before you take a walk or your car to the streets, it is essential to know how the seasonal hazards can affect your trip.
The sun is out less
New Jersey motorists will likely be driving in the dark more frequently. In October, the sunrise and sunset both occur closer to the commute time for many 8-to-5 workers. It will take some time for a driver’s eyes to adjust to the increasing darkness, so make sure that you are fully awake before you go behind the wheel. The state encourages pedestrians to wear reflective clothing in the early morning and late night to be more visible to the busy drivers.
Windows become more foggy
The temperatures are starting to get colder. More New Jersey residents are starting to put on a sweatshirt or coat on before they head outdoors. They are also starting to turn on the heaters in their cars. While being too cold can impair your driving abilities, make sure you are not driving with a foggy window as a result of the temperature change. Many drivers are confident they can work with a little fog, and often pay the price for their lack of visibility. Allstate recommends drivers to use the defroster or perform the following in order to get the fog away faster:
- Turn the heat on maximum settings
- Turn the AC on
- Turn off the recirculation
- Crack the windows
It gets cooler
The colder weather can also make some pedestrians anxious to cross the streets faster. Walkers should look both ways before crossing the street and attempt to cross at corners with marked crosswalks. If they do not yield the right of way to the driver in other locations, they can receive a $54 fine and additional court costs. Drivers should have a pair of gloves in their cars in case their hands become too cold to grip the steering wheel properly.
Whether a negligent driver ignores crosswalk rules or a pedestrian causes a motorist to crash by failing to yield the right of way, victims of motor vehicle accidents in New Jersey should seek legal action to recover from the incident. A personal injury attorney can help someone looking to file a claim in these accidents.