For the first time in Miami’s history, Miami Beach pedestrians and bicyclists can walk or ride from South Beach, through Middle Beach and into North Beach.
The stunning Walkway is now complete and provides a venue that is both beautiful and safe for Miami’s many walkers and bikers.
As recreational pedestrians and cyclists take to the Walkway, the Walkway should help counter pedestrian fatalities in Miami.
Miami is the 14th most dangerous metro area in America. Nationally, Florida holds nine of the 20 deadliest U.S. cities for pedestrians.
Smart Growth America has ranked Florida as the most perilous state for pedestrians.
Smart Growth America, advocating for affordable, convenient, beautiful and safe communities , has created a Pedestrian Danger Index – the PDI. The PDI assigns a ranking based on fatalities to each state and metro area. In 2019, Florida had a PDI of 182, well above the national average of 55.3. States with fewer people not surprisingly had the fewest fatalities, with Vermont having the lowest national PDI index of 13.8.
The PDI has limits, however: only fatalities are measured.
There are countless non-fatal pedestrian accidents every day that cause serious injuries.
How can you stay safe in the Miami metro area – the Miami Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties – while you walk? Keep these tips in mind:
- Crosswalks are important and should be used whenever available. Make sure the oncoming car intends to stop. As Florida tries to become pedestrian-friendly, many crosswalks are new and drivers are not yet used to stopping for pedestrians using a crosswalk. Many drivers are still routinely going through crosswalks while pedestrians are attempting to cross simply because the crosswalk wasn’t there six months ago.
- Focus on your safety and not on your smartphone or headphones when walking in areas of heavy traffic. Pay attention only to the cars around you and staying out of their way.
- Use the sidewalk. If there’s no sidewalk, walk facing traffic, as far away from oncoming cars as possible.
- Assume drivers are distracted. Prior to crossing a crosswalk, try to make eye contact with the driver before crossing.
- Keep in mind that construction seems to be continuous in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties. A building that was in place one month is completely gone the next time you drive by. This adds to distractions for both pedestrians and drivers.
- Always, always, look both ways before crossing.
- Never, never, assume that a driver turning in the right lane has seen you. Make eye contact with the driver before crossing in front of the car or wait until they turn.
- Remember that the sun in the Sunshine State can be blinding at times, making you more difficult to be seen. This is especially true at sunset.
- More accidents occur at night when visibility is reduced: use extra caution after dusk.
- Tourism is Florida’s #1 industry, and the Miami Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties are filled with visitors unfamiliar with our area. As vacationers, too, alcohol may impact their driving.
South Florida’s development coincided with dawn of the automobile age, and cities and towns were built chiefly to allow cars to move around quickly. That’s changed significantly. In the face of mounting traffic woes in Miami Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties, pedestrian-friendly areas and a culture of healthy movement are being promoted.
The more you walk, the more likely you are to be in a pedestrian accident: it’s the law of numbers. What do you do if you’re struck by a car, truck or automobile?
Don’t assume you’re not hurt: you’ve been hit by heavy steel traveling at a velocity far greater than your speed.
Many injuries don’t manifest until well after the accident.
If you’re injured in an accident in Miami Dade, Broward or Palm Beach County, call Matthew Waring at Waring Law.
Matthew Waring has been on both sides of an accident: from winning for a client the compensation they deserve to being in an accident and feeling the pain and suffering of accident victims.
Time is important when injured.
You can’t afford to wait for the compensation you deserve, yet insurance companies will stall for as long as they can.
Matthew Waring is fighting to get to you your compensation and is At War With Delay.
Matthew Waring, Esq. is an experienced personal injury attorney who gives his clients his full commitment to getting the compensation they deserve for their injuries.
If you have been injured in an accident in South Florida, call Waring Law today at tel:(954)-388-0646 for a free consultation.
Matthew Waring’s pledge to you:
• Immediate and personalized attention. You’ll always speak with Matthew directly, and never to a chat bot, a call center operator or even his paralegal. You’ll get answers fast and won’t have to wait for a call back.
• He’ll create a personalized Action Plan tailored to your injuries. There is no standard, “one-size-fits-all” template for Matthew’s clients: each person is unique, and their injuries specific to them alone.
• He will tirelessly work on your behalf.
• There are no fees to you unless Waring Law wins for you.